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Student U

EIN 27-3460491 · Durham, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO EMPOWER AND EQUIP FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS IN DURHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND EDUCATORS TO BECOME THE LEADERS THAT WILL TRANSFORM OUR CITY.

Income
$4.8 million
Spending
$4.1 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
133
Volunteers
246
Highest pay
$149,858, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 75% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (4)
  1. $1.2 million spent. MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM: STUDENT U'S MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM SERVES STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN DURHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS THROUGH A FIVE-WEEK SUMMER ACADEMY AND DAILY AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. STUDENTS RECEIVE INSTRUCTION IN ENGLISH, MATH, SCIENCE, AND GLOBAL CONNECT, AS WELL AS ELECTIVE CLASSES. DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, STUDENTS HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO COMPLETE HOMEWORK, RECEIVE INDIVIDUALIZED TUTORING, AND ATTEND ELECTIVE CLASSES. FAMILIES ARE ENGAGED THROUGH MONTHLY PHONE CALLS, FAMILY CONFERENCES EACH SEMESTER, FAMILY WORKSHOPS, AND LARGER COMMUNITY DAYS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
  2. $883,759 spent. HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM:STUDENT U'S HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM SERVES STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN DURHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS THROUGH A FIVE-WEEK SUMMER ACADEMY, A TWICE-A-WEEK TUTORING PROGRAM DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, AN IN-SCHOOL ADVOCATE, AND AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR RISING 11TH AND 12TH GRADERS. STUDENTS ATTEND MONTHLY CLUSTER MEETINGS WITH PEERS FROM THEIR SCHOOL, U-PREP SATURDAYS FOR INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ON SUCCEEDING IN HIGH SCHOOL AND PREPARING FOR COLLEGE, AND COLLEGE-BOUND ACTIVITIES AND ADVISING IN 11TH AND 12TH GRADE.
  3. $407,173 spent. W.G. PEARSON CENTER PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM:IN 2017, THE W.G. PEARSON CENTER WAS ACQUIRED AND RENOVATED BY AN AFFILIATE OF THE SELF-HELP VENTURES FUND. STUDENT U BECAME THE MASTER TENANT OF THE SPACE IN 2018 AND HAS REMAINED COMMITTED TO KEEPING THE CENTER A YOUTH-CENTERED SPACE THAT HOUSES ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ENRICH THE LIVES AND OUTCOMES OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE SURROUNDING HISTORIC HAYTI COMMUNITY. TO ACCOMPLISH THESE COMMITMENTS, STUDENT U SUBLEASES PORTIONS OF THE CENTER AND ITS GROUNDS TO OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ALIGNED WITH THESE GOALS. STUDENT U ALSO PLANS TO PARTNER WITH ADDITIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO UTILIZE THE KITCHEN SPACE TO SUPPORT FOOD BUSINESSES THAT ACTIVELY WORK TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY IN 2024.
  4. $732,277 spent. COLLEGE PROGRAMMING:STUDENT U'S COLLEGE PROGRAM PROVIDES ACADEMIC, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS DURING THEIR COLLEGE YEARS. STAFF SUPPORT STUDENTS THROUGH IN-PERSON MEETINGS ON CAMPUS, PHONE CHECK-INS, TOPIC-FOCUSED RETREATS, AND CONNECTIONS TO ON-CAMPUS RESOURCES. FAMILIES OF COLLEGE STUDENTS RECEIVE SUPPORT DURING THE ADVISING, ENROLLMENT, AND TRANSITION PERIODS THROUGH WORKSHOPS THAT EDUCATE PARENTS ON THE ROAD AHEAD AND WAYS THEY CAN SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN.SHARING BEST PRACTICES:WHILE WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SERVE EVERY STUDENT IN DURHAM DIRECTLY, OUR ABILITY TO SHARE WHAT WE'VE LEARNED ALLOWS US TO EXPAND OUR IMPACT IN DURHAM AND BEYOND. THROUGH OUR SHARING BEST PRACTICES INITIATIVES, WE WORK TO ENSURE OUR KNOWLEDGE AND INSIGHTS ARE ACCESSIBLE TO DURHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PRACTITIONERS, AND OTHER KEY STAKEHOLDERS, WHILE ALSO PREPARING OUR TEACHER ALUMNI TO TAKE ON LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THE COMMUNITY. WE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND CONSULTING TO PARTNERS IN THESE KEY AREAS.STUDENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES:STUDENT U SUPPORTS STUDENT AND FAMILY-LED ADVOCACY AND CHANGE EFFORTS IN OUR CITY AND BEYOND THROUGH ONGOING ENGAGEMENT AND REGULAR PROGRAMMING. WE DEVELOP STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS TO HELP PARENTS AND STUDENTS BUILD THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO SHAPE THEIR FUTURES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 September 2010.

    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.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.