Fairfax University of America
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 46% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
FAIRFAX UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA'S (THE UNIVERSITY) MISSION IS TO EDUCATE STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD THROUGH A HIGHLY QUALIFIED, EQUALLY DIVERSE FACULTY AND STAFF. (SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATION)AS AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING, FXU WILL STRIVE TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS THAT WILL ENGENDER THE INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY, CRITICAL THINKING, AND CREATIVITY THAT ARE URGENTLY NEEDED IN THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY. THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEMATICALLY ENCOURAGES THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STRONG KNOWLEDGE BASE, STUDY SKILLS, TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW, AND THE PERSONAL MOTIVATION NECESSARY FOR COMPETENT SCHOLARLY INQUIRY AND THE LIFELONG PURSUIT OF LEARNING.
- Income
- $4.8 million
- Spending
- $5.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 46%
- Reserves
- 0.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 74%
- Employees
- 48
- Volunteers
- 4
- Highest pay
- $151,008, executive dean of academic programs and admin
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
Weak: 29 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 23% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1546% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $675,521 spent. INSTRUCTION - THE UNIVERSITY OFFERS ITS STUDENTS ACCREDITED GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL PROGRAMS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE, BUSINESS, AND MANAGEMENT, AS WELL AS FULL AND PART-TIME CERTIFICATES IN A VARIETY OF PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL FIELDS, INCLUDING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL).
- $823,243 spent. ACADEMIC SUPPORT - ACADEMIC SUPPORT PROMOTES AND FOSTERS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AT CERTIFICATE, UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE LEVEL AT FXU. THE ACADEMIC AFFAIRS OFFICE STRIVES TO PROVIDE THE BEST EDUCATION RESOURCES TO INSTRUCTORS TO FURTHER ENHANCE STUDENTS' KNOWLEDGE AS WELL AS OVERSEE OPERATIONS OF ALL ACADEMIC SCHOOLS.
- $130,148 spent. STUDENT SERVICES - STUDENT SERVICES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSISTING STUDENTS WITH FXU HOUSING, INSURANCE OPTIONS AND STUDENT ID CARDS. STUDENT SERVICES ALSO OVERSEES THE STUDENT CLUBS, STUDENT UNION, THE LEADERSHIP AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAM, DIVERSITY LUNCHEONS, AND EVENTS/ACTIVITIES FOR THE STUDENTS.
- $969,591 spent. BUILDING MANAGEMENT - ACADEMIC SUPPORT DEDICATED TO RECOGNIZING AND PROMOTING GOOD PRACTICES IN EDUCATION.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2000.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.