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Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science

EIN 36-2181973 · North Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is committed to serving the population through the interprofessional education of health and biomedical professionals and the discovery of knowledge dedicated to improving wellness. The University embodies the spirit of inquiry and excellence modeled by its namesake Dr. Rosalind Franklin, whose "Photo 51" was crucial to solving the structure of DNA. Recognized for its research in areas including neuroscience, brain-related diseases, inherited disorders, diabetes, obesity, and gait and balance, RFU encompasses the Chicago Medical School, College of Health Professions, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine.

Income
$153.7 million
Spending
$149.6 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
-0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
1,705
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$1.1 million, president & ceo

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: 50 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 53% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% 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 17 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 16 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 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 (5)
  1. $79.8 million spent. INSTRUCTION - THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE UNIVERSITY IS TO EDUCATE AND TRAIN MEDICAL AND OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSION STUDENTS. IN THE 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR, RFUMS TRAINED OVER 2,000 STUDENTS.
  2. $25.8 million spent. RESEARCH - Research is at the core of the university's mission of scientific discovery and implementation of knowledge. In addition to the education of future clinicians and scientists, many university faculty members engage in extramurally funded and internally funded research projects. There are multiple areas of research excellence which reflect the various disciplines of each college. These include: neurosciences, cancer, inflammation and immunology, cardiology, diabetes, biomechanics, healthcare delivery, and psychology with a focus on genetic and chronic disease. Extramural funding comes from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, Department of War, and various private foundations such as the Alzheimer's association, Schweppe Foundation and organizations such as the Lake County Health Department.
  3. $6.7 million spent. PATIENT CARE - THE UNIVERSITY UTILIZES EXISTING LABORATORY FACILITIES AND PERSONNEL TO PROVIDE GENERAL AND SPECIALIZED LAB TESTING FOR REPRODUCTIVE AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. THE UNIVERSITY PERFORMS LABORATORY RESEARCH AND TESTING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE EDUCATION OF MEDICAL STUDENTS, RESIDENTS, OR FELLOWS.
  4. $7.0 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUES AND EXPENSES INCLUDE INTEREST ON STUDENT LOANS AND PENALTIES, STUDENT HOUSING REVENUE AND OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES.
  5. (Expenses $ 7,019,418 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 6,065,026) OTHER PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUES AND EXPENSES INCLUDE INTEREST ON STUDENT LOANS AND PENALTIES, STUDENT HOUSING REVENUE AND OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES.

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

  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 June 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 August 1945.

    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.