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University of Prince Edward Island

EIN 31-1682468 · Canada

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE UNIVERSITY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, FOUNDED ON THE TRADITION OF LIBERAL EDUCATION, EXISTS TO ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST PEOPLE TO ACQUIRE THE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND UNDERSTANDING NECESSARY FOR CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKING, AND THUS PREPARE THEM TO CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR OWN BETTERMENT AND THAT OF SOCIETY THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. TO ACCOMPLISH THESE ENDS THE UNIVERSITY IS A COMMUNITY OF SCHOLARS WHOSE PRIMARY TASKS ARE TO TEACH AND TO LEARN, TO ENGAGE IN SCHOLARSHIP AND RESEARCH, AND TO OFFER SERVICE FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR ISLAND AND BEYOND.

Income
$180.8 million
Spending
$149.7 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
-4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 52%
Employees
0
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$321,650, president, upei

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

Financial health

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    27 of 27 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 April 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 (3)
  1. $99.9 million spent. Higher Education: UPEI is a public liberal arts and science degree-granting institution committed to the encouragement and fostering of critical, creative, and independent thinking. Throughout the 2024-2025 fiscal period, there was a total of approximately 5,669 students enrolled in part-time and full-time studies with some 1,214 degrees granted including bachelor's degrees, certificates, masters and PhD's. UPEI has consistently been recognized as one of Canada's leading primarily undergraduate universities in Canada according to MacLean's University Rankings.
  2. $10.1 million spent. Research: With current annual research expenditures of more than $10.1M and a growing reputation for research achievement, the University of Prince Edward Island ranks as one of the top ten research-intensive undergraduate universities in Canada according to MacLean's University Ranking with graduate student numbers having increased over 220% in the last decade. Ultimately, UPEI's goal is to firmly support an innovative research culture throughout campus and to encourage the practice of knowledge translation and utilization in all research endeavours at UPEI. The University was ranked number one in Canada for research income growth by Research Infosource and is home to ten dozen research chairs, including the prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chair in Aquatic Epidemiology. The University also has a Strategic Research Plan in place which identifies eleven areas of research expertise divided into three main categories including Environment, Health, and Community & Culture.
  3. $10.1 million spent. Scholarships, Bursaries & Student Aid: The University operates a robust program of financial support to university students including scholarships, academic prizes, bursaries and graduate stipends. These awards are based on terms of reference established by the University, external agencies, or donors. Throughout the 2024-2025 fiscal period, some scholarships, in excess of $10.1M were awarded. While the majority of these awards are based on academic merit, financial need and other criteria are also considered. A complete list of entrance scholarships and awards are listed on the Scholarships and Awards for First Year Students chart on the UPEI website.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 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 April 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 September 2000.

    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.