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Trinity International University

EIN 36-2216176 · Deerfield, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak13 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TRINITY INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY IS AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION THAT OFFERS BOTH UNDERGRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS. TRINITY INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY EDUCATES MEN AND WOMEN FOR FAITHFUL PARTICIPATION IN GOD'S REDEMPTIVE WORK IN THE WORLD BY CULTIVATING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, CHRISTIAN FIDELITY, AND LIFELONG LEARNING. THE UNIVERSITY'S REVENUE AND OTHER SUPPORT ARE DERIVED PRINCIPALLY FROM TUITION AND FEES, AUXILIARY ENTERPRISE REVENUE AND CONTRIBUTIONS.

Income
$19.6 million
Spending
$36.0 million
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
-9.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
597
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$226,386, tls dean

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

Weak: 13 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 74% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 84% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    57% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 33 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 19 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 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 (1)
  1. $20.4 million spent. TRINITY INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY IS COMPRISED OF SEVERAL ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, OFFERING BOTH TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL DEGREE PROGRAM OPTIONS. TRINITY COLLEGE AND TRINITY GRADUATE SCHOOL PROVIDE UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE DEGREES. TRINITY EVANGELICAL DIVINITY SCHOOL PROVIDES MASTER'S AND DOCTORAL DEGREES. TRINITY LAW SCHOOL PROVIDES THE JURIS DOCTOR DEGREE. STUDENT SERVICES PROVIDE FOR STUDENT ORIENTATION, DISABILITY SERVICES, ACADEMIC SUPPORT, INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUPPORT, STUDENT PUBLICATIONS, MINISTRY TO FAMILIES, MENTORING, COUNSELING AND HEALTH SERVICES, AND ASSISTANCE TO RESIDENCE LIFE. AUXILIARY SERVICES PROVIDE RESIDENCE AND FOOD SERVICE OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS.

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 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 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 November 1949.

    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.