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Alabama State University Trust for Educational Excellence

EIN 31-1635334 · Montgomery, AL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE TRUST SEEKS TO SUPPORT AND IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AT ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY (THE UNIVERSITY) THROUGH THE FOLLOWING: (1) GRANTING OF ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS AT THE UNIVERSITY, (2) ENDOWMENT OF ACADEMIC CHAIRS, (3) SUBSIDIZING OF CURRENT FACULTY POSITIONS AND (4) PAYMENT OF FEES AND EXPENSES FOR CAMPUS LECTURES AND LECTURE SERIES ON THE UNIVERSITY'S CAMPUS.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$6.5 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
14

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 116% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 49% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 July 31, 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 (2)
  1. $5.8 million spent. THE TRUST PROVIDED SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING $5,800,470 TO 290 STUDENTS ATTENDING THE UNIVERSITY.
  2. $245,350 spent. OFFICIAL LECTURE SERIES SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN CULTURE AT ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ARE HELD ANNUALLY OR TO COINCIDE WITH SPECIAL CIVIL RIGHTS ANNIVERSARY EVENTS OR OTHER SUCH OCCASIONS. EVENTS MAY FEATURE SCHOLARS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, EDUCATORS, AND ARTISTS ON A VARIETY OF THEMES. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE NATIONAL CENTER IN THE FORM OF SCHOLARLY PRESENTATIONS, DISCUSSIONS, AND TOURS ARE ALSO INCLUDED. A TOTAL OF 1,360 STUDENTS AND OTHERS FROM THE GENERAL POPULATION ATTENDED A COMBINATION OF 26 (16 WERE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES) OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL LECTURE SERIES THAT WERE CONDUCTED IN THE 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR BY THE NATIONAL CENTER, WITH FUNDING FOR LECTURES PROVIDED THROUGH THE TRUST FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1999.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.