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Pfeiffer University

EIN 56-0529990 · Misenheimer, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

PFEIFFER IS A GLOBALLY ENGAGED, REGIONAL UNIVERSITY DISTINCTIVE FOR ITS TRANSFORMATIONAL UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCES AND ITS LEADERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS THAT FILL DEMONSTRATED NEEDS. VESTED IN ITS HISTORY AS A UNITED METHODIST-RELATED UNIVERSITY, AND PROPELLED FORWARD BY AN INNOVATIVE FACULTY, PFEIFFER PREPARES ITS STUDENTS FOR A LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENT, SCHOLARSHIP, SPRIITUALITY, AND SERVICE.

Income
$36.9 million
Spending
$38.4 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
-11.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 86%
Employees
263
Volunteers
122
Highest pay
$273,300, president

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

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 11% 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

    5 of 20

    It owes 62% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (1)
  1. $34.0 million spent. IN THE 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR, THE FRANCIS CENTER FOR SERVANT LEADERSHIP AND FAITH FORMATION ENGAGED STUDENTS, STAFF, AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS IN A TOTAL OF 1325 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE. IN ADDITION, OTHER UNIVERSITY AREAS PARTICIPATED IN 950 HOURS OF SERVICE. THEREFORE, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS EQUALS 2275 HOURS.HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE YEAR INCLUDE: COMMUNITY SERVICE THROUGH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, STANLY COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN MINISTRY, BACKPACK BUDDIES, MOVING IN FIRST TIME STUDENTS, WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA AND MORE. THESE COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVIES RANGE FROM ON SITE WORK, ITEM COLLECTION, AND ASSEMBLING ITEMS ON CAMPUS AND DELIVERING TO THE AGENCY. THE FRANCIS CENTER WORKED WITH LOCAL CHURCHES TO PROVIDE A GOOD NEIGHBOR PANTRY IN PFEIFFER'S CHAPEL FOR STUDENTS AND NEIGHBORS GET FOOD OR HYGIENE ITEMS THEY NEED WITHOUT JUDGMENT AND PARTICIPATED IN A COMMUNITY TRUNK OR TREAT. STUDENT ATHLETES CONDUCTED A CANNED FOOD DRIVE AND CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE, AND ASSISTED WITH A SPECIAL OLYMPICS DAY. OTHER STUDENT CLUBS/GROUPS COLLECTED SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND HYGIENE ITEMS.THESE ACTIVIES PROVIDED ON AND OFF CAMPUS ACTIVIES FOR STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN SERVICE LEARNING. SOME ACTIVITIES WERE HANDS ON WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS, SUCH AS SERVING AT A MOBILE FOOD PANTRY WHERE STUDENTS HELPED COMMUNITY MEMBERS "SHOP" FOR FREE GROCERIES OR WORKING THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. OTHER ACTIVIES WERE HANDS ON ACTIVITIES TO ASSEMBLE ITEMS FOR LATER USE BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS, SUCH AS ASSEMBLING WEEKEND FOOD BAGS FOR LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN, MAKING CARDS FOR LOCAL STUDENTS DURING END OF GRADE TESTING, OR MAKING BLANKETS FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. COLLECTION DRIVES INCLUDED CANNED FOOD, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, CLOTHING, AND CHRISTMAS TOYS FOR KIDS.

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 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 June 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 February 1940.

    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.

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.