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National Association of College and University Attorneys

EIN 52-1209127 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ADVANCE THE PRACTICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION ATTORNEYS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INSTITUTIONS THEY SERVE.

Income
$7.2 million
Spending
$7.2 million
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
17.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
24
Volunteers
700
Highest pay
$502,804, president & ceo

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

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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

    23 of 23 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 August 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. $3.4 million spent. MEETINGS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION: NACUA HOSTS BOTH VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON CLE WORKSHOPS AND AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE-THE INDUSTRY'S PREEMINENT GATHERING OF HIGHER EDUCATION PRACTITIONERS. IN ADDITION, NACUA HOSTS VARIOUS WEBINARS AND ONLINE COURSES TO SUPPORT COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ATTORNEYS IN PROVIDING TOP-QUALITY ADVICE AND COUNSEL TO MEMBER INSTITUTIONS AND HELP THEIR INSTITUTIONS COMPLY WITH THE LAW. THROUGH THESE OFFERINGS, NACUA PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS TO BOTH LEARN AND STAY CURRENT WITH VARIOUS ASPECTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION LAW AND TO NETWORK AND SPEND TIME WITH A COMMUNITY OF PEERS.
  2. $1.5 million spent. MEMBERSHIP SERVICES: NACUA PROVIDES A VARIETY OF ELECTRONIC RESOURCES TO INFORM COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ATTORNEYS ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION LAW, TO FACILITATE PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING AND THE EXCHANGE OF KNOWLEDGE AND BEST PRACTICES, AND TO DEVELOP AND NURTURE A VIBRANT, WELCOMING, AND DIVERSE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY THAT REFLECTS THE BREADTH OF NACUA'S MEMBER INSTITUTIONS. NACUA MEMBER SERVICES INCLUDE: NACUA'S NEW CASES AND DEVELOPMENTS, NACUANOTES, BRIEFINGS, SEARCHABLE LEGAL RESOURCES LIBRARY (SUBSTANTIVE LEGAL MATERIALS AND SAMPLE FORMS AND AGREEMENTS), OVER 40 AFFINITY GROUPS (MOST OF WHICH HAVE ONLINE COMMUNITIES), NACUA CAREER CENTER, AND NACUANET.
  3. $88,251 spent. PUBLICATIONS: NACUA PUBLISHES THE JOURNAL OF COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY LAW, THE ONLY PEER-REVIEWED, ACADEMIC JOURNAL IN THE UNITED STATES EXCLUSIVELY DEVOTED TO HIGHER EDUCATION LAW. ADDITIONALLY, NACUA ADMINISTERS AND PUBLISHES PERIODIC BENCHMARKING SURVEYS OF ITS MEMBER INSTITUTIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 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? 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 August 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 December 1980.

    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.

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