Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Association of College Unions- International

EIN 35-1816510 · Bloomington, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE UNIONS INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTS ITS MEMBERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES.

Income
$4.5 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 74%
Employees
23
Volunteers
500
Highest pay
$239,397, chief executive officer

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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 46% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    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 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 (1)
  1. $2.9 million spent. ACUI WELCOMED MORE THAN 800 ATTENDEES IN DENVER FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL CONFERENCE. ACUI HAD STRONG ATTENDANCE AT SEVERAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, INCLUDING IPDS: NEW PROFESSIONALS SEMINAR, THE STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS INSTITUTE, AND THE WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE. CLOSING THE GAP HAD A RECORD YEAR, WITH A 71% INCREASE IN COHORT PARTICIPANT APPLICATIONS FROM 2023 AND A 43% INCREASE IN MENTORS. NEW EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS IN 2024 INCLUDED THE ACTIVE DIALOGUE INSTITUTE, DIRECTORS INSTITUTE, COMMUNITY COLLEGE SEMINAR, AND RENOVATION AND CONSTRUCTION SEMINAR.IN TOTAL, MORE THAN 500 ATTENDED ACUI'S SEMINAR AND INSTITUTE OFFERINGS. ADDITIONALLY, EACH OF ACUI'S EIGHT REGIONS HOSTED AN IN-PERSON CONFERENCE, BRINGING TOGETHER MORE THAN 900 PROFESSIONAL AND STUDENT MEMBERS TO LEARN AND NETWORK TOGETHER. OVER 1,600 STUDENT ATHLETES COMPETED AT NINE REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS.

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 March 1991.

    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.