Clemson University Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
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
THE FOUNDATION IS ORGANIZED TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF CLEMSON UNIVERSITY IN ITS EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PURPOSES AND TO SEEK AND RECEIVE GIFTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF CLEMSON UNIVERSITY THROUGH ENDOWMENT GIVING AND OTHER FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES, AND TO MANAGE SUCH FUNDS PRUDENTLY AND WITHIN ESTABLISHED POLICY. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORK OF THE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT HTTPS://WWW.CLEMSON.EDU/GIVING/CUFOUNDATIONS/INDEX.HTML.
- Income
- $118.6 million
- Spending
- $77.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 12 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 71%
- Employees
- 35
- Volunteers
- 144
- Highest pay
- $918,732, clemson university 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
Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.0 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 27% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 57% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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 14% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 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
0 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $47.0 million spent. PROGRAM SUPPORT: FUNDING PROVIDED TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATIONAL, RESEARCH, AND PUBLIC SERVICE MISSION OF CLEMSON UNIVERSITY, INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS, FACULTY SUPPORT, AND ACADEMIC PROGRAM SUPPORT. THE SOURCES FOR FUNDING PROGRAM SUPPORT INCLUDE DONOR RESTRICTED GIVING FOR THESE PURPOSES AND SPENDABLE RETURN SUPPORT FROM ENDOWMENT FUNDS DESIGNATED FOR THESE PURPOSES.
- $13.4 million spent. CAPITAL PROJECTS: FUNDING PROVIDED IN SUPPORT OF THE EDUCATIONAL, RESEARCH, AND PUBLIC SERVICE MISSION OF CLEMSON UNIVERSITY THROUGH FUNDRAISING EFFORTS FOR PHYSICAL PLANT NEEDS. THIS INCLUDES FUNDING IN SUPPORT OF PRIORITIZED CAPITAL PROJECTS AND EXPENDITURES INCLUDING RENOVATION OF EXISTING FACILITIES, CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FACILITIES, AND LARGE DOLLAR EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES RELATED TO RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING. THE SOURCES FOR FUNDING FOR THESE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES IS THROUGH DONOR GIVING.
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 1968.
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.
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.