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University of South Dakota Foundation

EIN 46-6018891 · Vermillion, SD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE PRIVATE RESOURCES FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA TO INCREASE THE EXCELLENCE OF ITS STUDENTS' EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE.

Income
$38.2 million
Spending
$33.9 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-7.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
51
Volunteers
151
Highest pay
$235,022, develop./president & ceo (mar-dec)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 55% 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

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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

    20 of 20 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $12.3 million spent. PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS TO INCREASE THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE OF THE STUDENT BODY AND THE QUALITY OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED FOR BOTH RECRUITING AND RETENTION PURPOSES. $12.3 MILLION AND $11.1 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023, RESPECTIVELY. THIS LEVEL OF FUNDING REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 30.3% OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS.
  2. $7.7 million spent. PROVIDE FUNDS TO CONSTRUCT NEW CAMPUS FACILITIES AND RESTORE, REPAIR AND MAINTAIN EXISTING FACILITIES. THE FOUNDATION HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN A MAJOR RENOVATION AND RECONSTRUCTION PLAN FOR FACILITIES AT USD. SINCE 1996, $119.0 MILLION HAS BEEN PROVIDED FOR FACILITIES THAT HAVEENHANCED THE STUDENTS' EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND OPPORTUNITIES.
  3. $6.4 million spent. PROVIDE FUNDS TO SUPPORT ACADEMIC FACULTY THROUGH SALARY AUGMENTATION, RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, SUPPORT OF STUDENT TRAVEL AND RESEARCH, AND SUPPORT OF USD MUSEUMS AND VARIOUS AUXILIARY PROGRAMS. IN 2024, $6.4 MILLION WAS PROVIDED TO SUPPORT THESE NEEDS.
  4. $78,058 spent. PROVIDE FUNDS TO SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIP AND VARIOUS PROGRAMS AT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. IN 2024, $78.1 THOUSAND WAS PROVIDED TO SUPPORT THESE NEEDS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 July 1967.

    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.