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University of St Francis

EIN 36-2170999 · Joliet, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AS A CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY ROOTED IN THE LIBERAL ARTS, WE ARE A WELCOMING COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS CHALLENGED BY FRANCISCAN VALUES AND CHARISM, ENGAGED IN A CONTINUOUS PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE, FAITH, WISDOM, AND JUSTICE, AND EVER MINDFUL OF A TRADITION THAT EMPHASIZES REVERENCE FOR CREATION, COMPASSION AND PEACEMAKING. WE STRIVE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN ALL PROGRAMS, PREPARING WOMEN AND MEN TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORLD THROUGH SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP.

Income
$66.7 million
Spending
$73.5 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 88%
Employees
989
Volunteers
257
Highest pay
$676,825, secretary & university president

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

Financial health

Weak: 39 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 44% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 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

    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 May 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 (4)
  1. $40.8 million spent. INSTRUCTION AND FINANCIAL AIDTHE CATHOLIC, FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY OFFERS 47 BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING 4 ADULT UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS, 15 MASTER'S LEVEL PROGRAMS (ONSITE AND ONLINE CLASSES), 8 SUB-BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS, 12 POST BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS, 4 POST-MASTERS CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS AND 2 DOCTORAL PROGRAMS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, THE UNIVERSITY SERVED 1,338 UNDERGRADUATE AND 1,686 POST-BACCALAUREATE STUDENTS. IN ADDITION, 98% OF TRADITIONAL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND 100% OF INCOMING FRESHMEN RECEIVED SOME FORM OF FINANCIAL AID.
  2. $9.0 million spent. STUDENT SERVICESSTUDENT SERVICES INCLUDE ADMISSIONS, WELCOME CENTER, FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATION, REGISTRAR, ATHLETICS, STUDENT ENGAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP, ORIENTATION, GRADUATION, CAREER SUCCESS CENTER, HEALTH & WELLNESS AND PERSONAL COUNSELING SERVICES, SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, CAMPUS CULTURE, AND UNIVERSITY MINISTRY. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, 425 STUDENT ATHLETES PARTICIPATED IN BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, BOWLING, CROSS COUNTRY, FOOTBALL, DANCE, GOLF, SOCCER, SOFTBALL, TENNIS, TRACK & FIELD, AND VOLLEYBALL.
  3. $6.5 million spent. ACADEMIC SUPPORTLIBRARY RESOURCES AND SERVICES, ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER, INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH, STUDENT COMPUTER LABS, AND ACADEMIC TECHNOLOGY, AND DEANS OF EACH OF THE UNIVERSITY'S FOUR COLLEGES ARE INCLUDED IN THIS CATEGORY. THE LIBRARY'S COLLECTION INCLUDED 22,986 BOOKS AND OTHER PAPER DOCUMENTS, 4,910 SERIALS, AND 3,277 AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS. CONSISTENT WITH THE INDUSTRY, THE UNIVERSITY'S RESOURCES CONTINUE TO MOVE AWAY FROM PRINTED MATERIALS AND TOWARD ELECTRONIC RESOURCES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS. THE RESOURCES AT THE LIBRARY ASSIST STUDENTS IN ALL METHODS OF RESEARCH.
  4. $3.8 million spent. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES RESIDENCE EDUCATION, STUDENT HOUSING, FOOD SERVICES, THE BOOKSTORE, AND CONFERENCING SERVICES ARE INCLUDED IN AUXILIARY SERVICES. 295 STUDENTS FILLED STUDENT HOUSING TO 66% CAPACITY IN 2025. THE UNIVERSITY IS FOCUSED ON SAFETY, LEARNING AND COMMUNITY BUILDING AMONG THE STUDENTS INCLUDING A SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK AND A MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF THE SEMESTER. FOOD SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF 16 HOURS PER DAY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 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 October 13, 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 May 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 June 1960.

    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 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.