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St Ambrose University

EIN 42-0703280 · Davenport, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MISSION STATEMENT: AN INCLUSIVE, CATHOLIC, AND DIOCESAN COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS, ST. AMBROSE UNIVERSITY EMPOWERS ALL AMBROSIANS TO ACT COURAGEOUSLY, TO SEEK WISDOM THROUGH FAITH AND REASON, TO WORK FOR JUSTICE, AND TO LEAD LIVES OF SERVICE. VISION STATEMENT: ST. AMBROSE UNIVERSITY WILL BE A VIBRANT, SUSTAINABLE, AND LEARNER-FOCUSED MODEL FOR CATHOLIC HIGHER EDUCATION, PREPARING INDIVIDUALS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TO LEAD LIVES CHARACTERIZED BY COURAGE, WISDOM, JUSTICE, AND SERVICE.

Income
$230.5 million
Spending
$114.6 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
17.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
1,379
Volunteers
168
Highest pay
$434,656, president/secretary/treasurer

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 50% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 90% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 25

    26 of 27 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 (3)
  1. $74.7 million spent. *INSTRUCTION: PROVIDES UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS ARE MADE UP OF 3 COLLEGES: ARTS AND SCIENCES, BUSINESS AND HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES. 7 BACHELORS (68 MAJORS), 14 MASTERS AND 4 DOCTORAL DEGREES ARE OFFERED.*STUDENT AID & SCHOLARSHIPS: THE UNIVERSITY SERVES STUDENTS BY PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS FUNDED BY FEDERAL, STATE, UNIVERSITY AND PRIVATE SOURCES. *STUDENT SERVICES: THE UNIVERSITY SERVES THE STUDENT COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL AID ASSISTANCE, REGISTRATION, ADMISSIONS, COUNSELING, RESIDENCE LIFE, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, CAMPUS RECREATION, INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS AND OTHER PROGRAMS.
  2. $13.8 million spent. *AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES & ACTIVITIES: PROVIDES FOOD SERVICE AND HOUSING FOR AN APPROXIMATE CAPACITY OF 3,100 STUDENTS.
  3. $7.9 million spent. *OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT: PROVIDES INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT BY THE OFFICES OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS AND THE VICE PRESIDENT OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT.

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 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? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 June 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 March 1946.

    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.