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West Virginia Univ Foundation Inc

EIN 55-6017181 · Morgantown, WV

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the WVU Foundation is to enrich the lives of those touched by West Virginia University by maximizing charitable support and providing services to the University, its students and affiliated organizations.

Income
$152.3 million
Spending
$144.8 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
6.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
177
Volunteers
29
Highest pay
$1.1 million, vp investments, cio

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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 59% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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

    29 of 30 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 (4)
  1. $29.9 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION UTILIZES PRIVATE FUNDING TO SUPPORT MULTIPLE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND DEPARTMENTS IMPACTING ALL LEVELS OF THE CAMPUS. AMOUNTS FUNDED IN THIS AREA ARE PRIMARILY UTILIZED TO ENHANCE SALARY LEVELS THEREBY POSITIONING WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE IN ATTRACTING AND RETAINING TALENTED INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE ACADEMIC, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND RESEARCH FIELDS. THE HEALTH SCIENCES CAMPUS WAS THE PRIMARY BENEFICIARY OF FUNDED SALARIES; HOWEVER, VIRTUALLY EVERY ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS, RECEIVED FUNDING FOR THIS CRITICAL FUNCTION. (Expenses $ 42,541,281 including grants of $) THE ORGANIZATION HAS OTHER DISBURSEMENTS IN DIRECT SUPPORT OF WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY, INCLUDING FACULTY AND STAFF TRAVEL FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, CLASSROOM, LABORATORY, AND OFFICE SUPPLIES, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, ETC.
  2. $29.3 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION UTILIZES PRIVATE FUNDING TO SUPPORT CAPITAL PROJECT INITIATIVES ACROSS CAMPUS. FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY RECEIVED FUNDING FROM THE ORGANIZATION TO SUPPORT A VARIETY OF CAPITAL INITIATIVES.
  3. $18.5 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION UTILIZES PRIVATE FUNDING TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WITHIN MULTIPLE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND DEPARTMENTS ACROSS CAMPUS; THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OF WHICH WERE THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS, THE EBERLY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES AND DESIGN, AND THE STATLER COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND MINERAL RESOURCES. SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNTS INCLUDE TUITION, BOOKS, AND ROOM AND BOARD. SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNTS ARE UTILIZED ACROSS CAMPUS TO HELP RECRUIT NATIONALLY PROMINENT STUDENTS AS WELL AS PROVIDE FUNDING SUPPORT TO GIVE OTHER STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE AN ACADEMIC CAREER AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. (Expenses $ 42,541,281 including grants of $) THE ORGANIZATION HAS OTHER DISBURSEMENTS IN DIRECT SUPPORT OF WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY, INCLUDING FACULTY AND STAFF TRAVEL FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, CLASSROOM, LABORATORY, AND OFFICE SUPPLIES, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, ETC.
  4. $42.5 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION HAS OTHER DISBURSEMENTS IN DIRECT SUPPORT OF WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY, INCLUDING FACULTY AND STAFF TRAVEL FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, CLASSROOM, LABORATORY, AND OFFICE SUPPLIES, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, ETC.

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 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 June 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 June 1960.

    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.