University Radio Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
JOURNALISM THAT INFORMS, ENRICHES, AND INSPIRES. OUR VISION IS TO HELP CREATE A MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND ENGAGED COMMUNITY GROUNDED IN OUR SHARED HUMANITY.
- Income
- $7.5 million
- Spending
- $7.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 53%
- Reserves
- 5.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 97%
- Employees
- 67
- Volunteers
- 43
- Highest pay
- $220,137, president and ceo 2024 & 2025
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: 56 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 31% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1553% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 36 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 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2523 of 24 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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 (3)
- $3.6 million spent. WFAE IS A MAJOR SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR THE CHARLOTTE REGION AND ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S LEADING PUBLIC RADIO STATIONS. WFAE'S MISSION IS TO CREATE A MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND ENGAGED COMMUNITY GROUNDED IN OUR SHARED HUMANITY. OUR VISION IS ACHIEVED THROUGH JOURNALISM THAT INFORMS, ENRICHES AND INSPIRES. HERE ARE SOME OF THE PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS THAT PUT WFAE'S MISSION AND VISION INTO PRACTICE IN FY25.PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS:WFAE'S NEWSROOM SPENT MUCH OF THE FIRST HALF OF FY25 COVERING THE AFTERMATH AND RECOVERY EFFORTS FROM HURRICANE HELENE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTH CAROLINA, AND THE 2024 ELECTIONS. THE TEAM EXPLORED HOW PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S SECOND ADMINISTRATION WOULD AFFECT THE CHARLOTTE REGION IN THE SECOND HALF OF FY25.IN FEBRUARY, THE NEWSROOM LAUNCHED "FIRST FRIDAY ARTS SHOWCASE," A MONTHLY SERIES WITH AREA ARTS REPORTERS ABOUT BIG EVENTS HAPPENING IN THE LISTENING AREA AND ACTIVITIES TO ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR. "CHARLOTTE TALKS" CONTINUED TO BE THE 'TALK SHOW OF RECORD' FOR THE REGION. HOST MIKE COLLINS HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH EXPERTS, POLITICIANS, AUTHORS AND OTHERS ABOUT TOPICS SUCH AS CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS, NORTH CAROLINA'S ECONOMY AND THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE SOUTHERN DRAWL. NOTABLE INTERVIEWS INCLUDED NORTH CAROLINA STATE SUPERINTENDENT MO GREEN, MECKLENBURG COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIR MARK JERRELL AND THE WEEKLY NEWS ROUNDUP WITH LOCAL REPORTERS. REPORTER JAMES FARRELL REPORTED ON LOCAL AND STATE EDUCATION ISSUES INCLUDING BUDGETS, FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS AND TEST SCORES. HE ALSO PRODUCED STORIES THAT LOOKED AT AI IN THE CLASSROOM, A PROGRAM THAT OFFERS FREE PROM DRESSES AND LESSONS LEARNED BY A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM IN ITS VERY FIRST SEASON. REPORTER STEVE HARRISON DELVED INTO ISSUES SUCH AS THE SPLIT BETWEEN MECKLENBURG COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND DEVELOPER PEEBLES CORPORATION TO REDEVELOP LAND IN UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, THE INDICTMENT OF CHARLOTTE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER TIAWANA BROWN FOR FRAUD AND TRANSIT DEVELOPMENTS AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS. WITH GRANTS FROM THE SALAMANDER AND GREEN SOUTH FOUNDATION FUNDS, WFAE CONTINUED ITS CLIMATE COVERAGE. REPORTER ZACHARY TURNER EXAMINED HOW CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS THE CAROLINAS. HIS STORIES ALSO FOCUSED ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS FROM HURRICANE HELENE, A PROGRAM TO OFFER ALL-TERRAIN WHEELCHAIRS SO MORE PEOPLE CAN ENJOY PARK TRAILS AND GASTONIA'S MICROTRANSIT SERVICE REACHING 100,000 TRIPS. REPORTER JULIAN BERGER REPORTED ON IMMIGRATION ISSUES AND THE LATINO COMMUNITY INCLUDING IMMIGRANTS' WORRIES ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S RETURN TO OFFICE AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MECKLENBURG COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND ICE. HE ALSO PRODUCED STORIES THAT LOOKED AT CELEBRATIONS IN THE HINDU, LATINO AND VIETNAMESE COMMUNITIES. REPORTER ELVIS MENAYESE EXPLORED PROGRAMS THAT HELP INMATES DURING AND AFTER INCARCERATION AND HELP YOUNG PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. HIS STORIES ALSO FOCUSED ON FUNDING CUTS FOR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND HONORING THE BURIAL OF SEVERAL HUNDRED ENSLAVED PEOPLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. OUR EQUALIBRIUM LIVE SERIES HOSTED "VOICES ON IMMIGRATION," A WEBINAR THAT EXPLORED THE IMPACT OF RECENT EXECUTIVE ACTIONS, POLICY CHANGES AND STATE-LEVEL LEGISLATION ON IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. THE "SOUTHBOUND" PODCAST CONTINUED TO TALK WITH PEOPLE WHO WERE BORN AND RAISED IN THE SOUTH. HOST TOMMY TOMLINSON SPOKE WITH SOUTHERNERS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE - FROM AUTHORS AND SPORTS WRITERS TO MUSICIANS AND COMEDIANS. WFAE PARTNERED WITH PUBLIC MEDIA STATIONS ACROSS STATE TO LAUNCH THE NORTH CAROLINA NEWSROOM, CAPITOL BUREAU. THE COLLABORATION EXPANDS NORTH CAROLINA STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS COVERAGE FOR AUDIENCES IN THE CHARLOTTE REGION. WFAE'S CAROLINAS CLIMATE SUMMIT BROUGHT TOGETHER MORE THAN 200 EXPERTS, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND ADVOCATES FOR A DAYLONG SERIES OF SESSIONS THAT LOOKED AT THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE CAROLINAS. FOR THE SECOND YEAR, WFAE RECOGNIZED 25 CHARLOTTE-AREA RESIDENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE MADE CONTRIBUTIONS IN ADVANCING ISSUES OF EQUITY AT ITS EQUALIBRIUM AWARDS.THE RADIO TELEVISION DIGITAL NEWS ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZED WFAE WITH TWO REGIONAL EDWARD R. MURROW AWARDS FOR BREAKING NEWS COVERAGE AND CONTINUING COVERAGE.THE RADIO TELEVISION DIGITAL NEWS ASSOCIATION OF THE CAROLINAS RECOGNIZED WFAE WITH SIX FIRST-PLACE AWARDS IN SEVERAL CATEGORIES RANGING FROM HARD NEWS TO ENTERTAINMENT.
- $339,805 spent. BROADCASTING AND ENGINEERING - EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH BROADCAST STUDIOS, TRANSMITTERS, TOWERS, AND ANTENNAS, ENGINEER, IP INTERCONNECTS, SATELLITE FACILITIES, UTILITIES, REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE COSTS FOR STUDIOS, TRANSMITTERS, TOWERS, AND ANTENNAS.
- $116,919 spent. PROGRAM INFORMATION - PROMOTION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES TO INFORM THE COMMUNITY OF LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS OF INTEREST TO OUR LISTENERS. COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH HOSTING FORUMS AND EVENTS, BRINGING IN PUBLIC RADIO PERSONALITIES TO SPEAK AND OTHER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH INFORMING OUR LISTENERS BY NEWSLETTERS, E-BLASTS, OUTREACH MATERIALS.
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
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 October 13, 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 June 2025.
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 June 1993.
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 October 21, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Indiana University Foundation (Bloomington, IN), EIN 35-6018940. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.