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Claflin University

EIN 57-0314374 · Orangeburg, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CLAFLIN IS COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING, RESEARCH, AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION. WE ARE GUIDED BY A SET OF PRINCIPLES THAT HELP US WORK TOWARD OUR GOAL OF EQUIPPING STUDENTS WITH THE NECESSARY TOOLS FOR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH. WE ARE COMMITTED TO OFFERING QUALITY UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS, INNOVATIVE GRADUATE PROGRAMS, AND VIABLE CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES. BY DESIGN, WE HAVE EMERGED AS A NATIONAL LEADER IN COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION AND CONTINUE TO ENGAGE IN A STRATEGIC PLAN WHICH OUTLINES AN ENHANCED VISION OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WITH GREATER EMPHASIS ON RESEARCH, SCHOLARLY CONTRIBUTIONS AND CREATIVE ACTIVITY.

Income
$69.3 million
Spending
$69.8 million
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 60%
Employees
814
Volunteers
22
Highest pay
$1.1 million, 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

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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. $22.5 million spent. INSTRUCTIONAL:CLAFLIN'S PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE ACHIEVEMENT IS TO PROVIDE A HIGHER EDUCATION TO STUDENTS UNDER A COLLEGE DEGREE PROGRAM. CLAFLIN HAS FOUR SCHOOLS CONSISTING OF THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS, SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE AS WELL AS THE CENTER FOR PROFESSIONAL AND CONTINUING STUDIES. COURSES ARE OFFERED LEADING TO THE AWARD OF THE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN 14 MAJORS, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN 23 MAJORS AND A MASTERS OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
  2. $13.7 million spent. AUXILIARY SERVICES:THE UNIVERSITY CONDUCTED AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF AND THE COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES CONSIST OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS, STUDENT HOUSING, FOOD SERVICE AND PRINT SHOP. THE UNIVERSITY PARTICIPATES IN NCAA DIVISION II ATHLETICS AND ITS PROGRAMS CONSIST OF FOUR SPORTS FOR MEN AND FIVE SPORTS FOR WOMEN.
  3. $6.5 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES:CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY IS WEDDED TO THE IDEA THAT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IS FACILITATED BY A WELL-BALANCED AND WELL-ROUNDED PROGRAM OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES. AS THE NAME IMPLIES, STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES OPERATES PRIMARILY FOR STUDENTS. THIS UNIT SEEKS TO SERVE STUDENTS BOTH DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY: DIRECTLY IN THAT IT ANTICIPATES AND PROVIDES FOR THEIR PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS AND INDIRECTLY IN THAT, IN ITS TOTALITY, IT HELPS TO BUILD THE MORALE OF THE STUDENT BODY. STUDENT SERVICES PROGRAMS INCLUDE CAREER SERVICES, STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES, COUNSELING CENTER, CHAPLAIN SERVICES, FINANCIAL AID, ADMISSIONS, RECORDS, RESIDENTIAL LIFE AND STUDENT GOVERNMENT.
  4. $146,827 spent. THE UNIVERSITY PROVIDED SUPPORT TO CLAFLIN QALICB INC. TO FACILITATE NEW MARKET TAX CREDIT TRANSACTIONS FOR THE BUILDING OF A HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER TO SERVE THE UNIVERSITY AND THE ORANGEBURG COMMUNITY.

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 July 1946.

    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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