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East Carolina University Educational Foundation Inc

EIN 56-6061192 · Greenville, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, INC., D/B/A THE PIRATE CLUB, IS TO BE THE FRIEND-RAISING AND FUND-RAISING ARM OF EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY'S DIVISION I ATHLETICS PROGRAM, REPRESENTING THE HIGHEST PRINCIPLES OF HONESTY AND INTEGRITY. BY CONDUCTING ANNUAL FUND, ENDOWMENT, AND CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS IN SUPPORT OF STUDENT-ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIPS, ATHLETIC FACILITY ENHANCEMENTS AND OTHER PROGRAMMING NEEDS, THE PIRATE CLUB SEEKS TO BRING POSITIVE RECOGNITION TO EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY AND THE REGION IT SERVES THROUGH A COMPETITIVE ATHLETICS PROGRAM.

Income
$17.9 million
Spending
$9.6 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
0
Volunteers
41
Highest pay
$662,405, director

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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 46% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $5.7 million spent. ONE OF THE FOUNDATION'S OBJECTIVES AND GENERAL PURPOSES IS TO RENDER FINANCIAL AID AND OTHER ASSISTANCE TO DESERVING YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IN ASSISTING THEM TO DEVELOP THEMSELVES PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY AND IN OTHER WAYS CONSISTENT WITH A BROAD GENERAL EDUCATION.
  2. $826,096 spent. THE FOUNDATION FUNDS INSURANCE FOR COURTESY CARS PROVIDED TO ATHLETICS STAFF AND COACHES, RESTRICTED TRANSFERS TO ATHLETICS DEPARTMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS PURCHASES FOR ITEMS AND SERVICES ATHLETICS CANNOT PURCHASE ACCORDING TO STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND/OR UNIVERSITY GUIDELINES, IMPROVEMENTS TO ATHLETICS FACILITIES, AND OTHER ATHLETICS PROGRAMMATIC NEEDS.
  3. $745,342 spent. ONE OF THE FOUNDATION'S OBJECTIVES AND GENERAL PURPOSES IS TO ASSIST IN PROVIDING PHYSICAL FACILITIES FOR EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY'S ATHLETICS PROGRAM.

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 October 13, 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 June 1950.

    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 October 21, 2026.

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