Depauw University
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
DEPAUW UNIVERSITY DEVELOPS LEADERS THE WORLD NEEDS THROUGH AN UNCOMMON COMMITMENT TO THE LIBERAL ARTS. DEPAUW'S DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE LEARNING AND LIVING EXPERIENCE, DISTINCTIVE IN ITS RIGOROUS INTELLECTUAL ENGAGEMENT AND ITS GLOBAL AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, LEADS TO A LIFE OF MEANING AND MEANS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)
- Income
- $263.8 million
- Spending
- $203.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 0.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 48%
- Employees
- 1,447
- Volunteers
- 150
- Highest pay
- $866,301, 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
Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2534 of 34 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $176.8 million spent. DEPAUW UNIVERSITY IS A NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED, LEADING LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE IN GREENCASTLE, INDIANA, DEDICATED TO EDUCATING 1,917 STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE GLOBE. FOR 188 YEARS, DEPAUW HAS CREATED AN ATMOSPHERE OF INTELLECTUAL CHALLENGE AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT THAT PREPARES STUDENTS FOR LIFELONG SUCCESS. ACADEMIC EXPLORATION AT DEPAUW PUSHES STUDENTS TO GAIN BROAD EXPOSURE TO MULTIPLE DISCIPLINES BEFORE NARROWING THEIR FOCUS. DEPAUW OFFERS DOZENS OF MAJORS AND MINORS, A HANDFUL OF HONORS AND FELLOWS PROGRAMS, AND A SET OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT CHALLENGE STUDENTS WITHIN AND BEYOND THE CLASSROOM. BUILDING NETWORKS HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN IT IS RIGHT NOW. AT DEPAUW, STUDENTS MAKE CONNECTIONS THROUGH STUDENT-RUN CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS, NCAA DIVISION III ATHLETICS AND RECREATIONAL SPORTS, FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES, AND SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) DEPAUW ALUMNI GO ON TO CAREERS IN ACADEMIA, MEDICINE, LAW, MUSIC, FINANCE, EDUCATION, AND NUMEROUS OTHER FIELDS. THEY ARE SURGEONS, ACTORS, LEGAL ADVOCATES, ASTRONAUTS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS. DEPAUW TAKES PRIDE IN HAVING GIVEN EACH ONE THE CONFIDENCE TO TAKE RISKS AND THE TOOLS TO REALIZE THEIR GOALS.
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
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1930.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 21, 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.