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Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Pennsylvania

EIN 25-1666617 · Harrisburg, PA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES OF PENNSYLVANIA (AICUP) IS TO SERVE AND PROMOTE INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AS VITAL, DISTINCTIVE COMPONENTS OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMUNITY IN PENNSYLVANIA AND THE NATION, TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE THE STRENGTHS AND DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF NON-PROIT HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND TO INCREASE THE FINANCIAL MEANS AVAILABLE TO THESE INSTITUTIONS, TO FURTHER THE AVAILABILITY OF EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS OF PENNSYLVANIA AND OTHERS WHO SEEK EDUCATION OR TRAINING AT INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN PENNSYLVANIA, TO ENHANCE THE BUSINESS AND EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP IN PA AND INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DONATIONS IN ADVANCING HIGHER EDUCATION, TO ENCOURAGE AND SOLICIT CORPORATE, BUSINESS, AND OTHER GIVING TO THE INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN PENNSYLVANIA, TO FURTHER BY STUDY, RESEARCH, PUBLICATION, AND TEACHING AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLE AND NEEDS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, TO

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 58%
Employees
10
Volunteers
45
Highest pay
$421,263, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 22 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $295,100 spent. DISTRIBUTED VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM MEMBER COLLEGES, THE GENERAL PUBLIC, FOUNDATIONS AND CORPORATIONS FOR VARIOUS PROGRAMS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
  2. $665,044 spent. THE ASSOCIATION SERVED AS A UNIFIED VOICE FOR INDEPENDENT HIGHER EDUCATION IN PENNSYLVANIA BEFORE STATE AND FEDERAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. ISSUES ADDRESSED BY THE ASSOCIATION INCLUDED INPUT INTO PUBLIC POLICIES WITH REGARD TO STUDENT FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS, FUNDING FOR INSTITUTIONAL NEEDS, PRESERVATION OF STATE AND LOCAL TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES WHICH IMPACT INDEPENDENT HIGHER EDUCATION.
  3. $391,271 spent. THE ASSOCIATION SERVES ITS MEMBERS IN MANY WAYS. IT DISSEMINATED INFORMATION AND PROVIDED VARIOUS SERVICES BOTH TO ITS MEMBERS AND TO THE PUBLIC. THE ASSOCIATION ALSO SPONSORED VARIOUS PROGRAMS THROUGH ROYALTY AGREEMENTS WITH INDEPENDENT VENDORS TO HELP COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES REALIZE SAVINGS THROUGH ECONOMIES OF SCALE. SUCH PROGRAMS INCLUDE A TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM, BOND FACILITIES PROGRAM, EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS PROGRAM, ENERGY PROCUREMENT AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM, SOFTWARE PROCUREMENT PROGRAM, TUITION INSTALLMENT PROGRAM, PURCHASE CARD PROGRAM, ENVIONMENTAL COMPLIANCE, STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE, CYBER SECURITY INITIATIVE, AND A MULTIPLE EMPLOYER RETIREMENT PLAN.
  4. $415,035 spent. THE ASSOCIATION CONDUCTED VARIOUS RESEARCH STUDIES WHICH INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING: FRESHMAN ADMISSION AND FINANCIAL AID, STUDENT FINANCIAL AID, FINANCIAL ANALYSIS AND TRENDS, TUITION AND FEE AND PATTERNS OF VOLUNTARY SUPPORT, BACCALAUREATE RESEARCH STUDY. THE ASSOCIATION HAS UNDERTAKEN AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT DESIGNED TO ALIGN STATE, LOCAL, AND COLLEGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES AND ASSIST INDIVIDUAL MEMBER SCHOOLS OR CONSORTIA OF SCHOOLS WITH SPECIFIC PROJECTS. THE ASSOCIATION PUBLISHES AN OVERALL ECONOMIC IMPACT REPORT OF PA'S INDEPENDENT HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR.
  5. THE ASSOCIATION CONDUCTED VARIOUS RESEARCH STUDIES WHICH INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING: FRESHMAN ADMISSION AND FINANCIAL AID, STUDENT FINANCIAL AID, FINANCIAL ANALYSIS AND TRENDS, TUITION AND FEE AND PATTERNS OF VOLUNTARY SUPPORT, BACCALAUREATE RESEARCH STUDY. THE ASSOCIATION HAS UNDERTAKEN AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT DESIGNED TO ALIGN STATE, LOCAL, AND COLLEGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES AND ASSIST INDIVIDUAL MEMBER SCHOOLS OR CONSORTIA OF SCHOOLS WITH SPECIFIC PROJECTS. THE ASSOCIATION PUBLISHES AN OVERALL ECONOMIC IMPACT REPORT OF PA'S INDEPENDENT HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1992.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

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