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Augustana University Association

EIN 46-0224588 · Sioux Falls, SD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

INSPIRED BY LUTHERAN SCHOLARLY TRADITION AND THE LIBERAL ARTS, AUGUSTANA PROVIDES AN EDUCATION OF ENDURING WORTH THAT CHALLENGES THE INTELLECT, FOSTERS INTEGRITY AND INTEGRATES FAITH WITH LEARNING AND SERVICE IN A DIVERSE WORLD.

Income
$140.9 million
Spending
$139.4 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
-10.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 77%
Employees
1,792
Volunteers
1,575
Highest pay
$370,468, president

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

Financial health

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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

    24 of 24 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 July 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 (3)
  1. $108.2 million spent. HIGHER EDUCATION INSTRUCTION: INCLUDES MORE THAN 50 ACADEMIC MAJORS AND PRE-PROFESSIONAL SPECIALIZATIONS THAT PREPARE STUDENTS FOR EVENTUAL EMPLOYMENT IN BUSINESS AND FINANCE, HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE AND FOR GRADUATE STUDIES IN LAW AND MEDICINE. AN HONORS PROGRAM, STUDY ABROAD, SERVICE LEARNING AND UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES SUPPLEMENT FORMAL CLASSROOM AND LABORATORY INSTRUCTION. APPROXIMATELY 1,950 STUDENTS ARE SERVED ANNUALLY BY A FACULTY OF 150 FULL- AND PART-TIME PROFESSORS.AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY OFFERS STUDENTS OF VARYING BACKGROUNDS AND INTERESTS AN EDUCATION THAT COMBINES A BROAD FOUNDATION IN THE LIBERAL ARTS WITH PREPARATION FOR PROFESSIONAL CAREERS OR ADVANCED STUDY.
  2. $13.3 million spent. HIGHER EDUCATION AUXILIARY SERVICES: SERVE STUDENTS THROUGH ONLINE PARTNERSHIP BY SELLING BOOKS AND OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND PROVIDING CAMPUS HOUSING AND MEAL SERVICES FOR APPROXIMATELY 1,950 STUDENTS.
  3. $4.4 million spent. HIGHER EDUCATION ACADEMIC SUPPORT: INCLUDES ACADEMIC SUPPORT THROUGH EXTENSIVE LIBRARY HOLDINGS IN BOOKS, JOURNALS AND ONLINE RESOURCES AS WELL AS AUDIOVISUAL EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS. INCLUDES OTHER ACTIVITIES RELATED TO SERVING THE STUDENTS AND THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 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 July 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 July 1950.

    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.