Brenau University Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
BRENAU UNIVERSITY CHALLENGES STUDENTS TO LIVE EXTRAORDINARY LIVES OF PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL FULFILLMENT. AS STUDENTS PURSUE UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE DEGREES OR NON-DEGREE PROGRAMS AT BRENAU CAMPUSES AND ONLINE, EACH PREPARES FOR A LIFETIME OF INTELLECTUAL ACCOMPLISHMENT AND APPRECIATION OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION THROUGH A CURRICULUM ENRICHED BY THE LIBERAL ARTS, SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY AND GLOBAL AWARENESS.
- Income
- $106.7 million
- Spending
- $73.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- -0.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 63%
- Employees
- 438
- Volunteers
- 250
- Highest pay
- $655,202, 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: 61 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 25% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 54% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2525 of 25 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)
- $21.0 million spent. BRENAU UNIVERSITY IS A PRIVATE, COMPREHENSIVE UNIVERSITY THAT INCLUDES THE UNDERGRADUATE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL, THE UNDERGRADUATE NONRESIDENTIAL SCHOOL, THE GRADUATE SCHOOL, AND THE EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM.EACH COMPONENT OF THE UNIVERSITY ENHANCES THE OTHERS THROUGH SHARED RESOURCES, FACILITIES, FACULTY AND CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES WITH SOME LIMITED CROSS-ENROLLMENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE. HOWEVER, EACH UNIT IS DEFINED BY DISTINCT CHARACTERISTICS.THE UNDERGRADUATE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL, OR WOMEN'S COLLEGE, OFFERS BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMS, SOME OF WHICH FEED INTO GRADUATE PROGRAMS, WITH A MULTI-DISCIPLINE LIBERAL ARTS FOUNDATION THAT ENABLES STUDENTS TO EXPLORE GENERAL INTERESTS AS WELL AS PURSUE SPECIALIZED STUDIES. WOMEN HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT ENCOURAGES AWARENESS OF AND PARTICIPATION IN A WORLD CHARACTERIZED BY PLURALISM AND TO EXPLORE AND PREPARE FOR VARIOUS CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.
- $21.8 million spent. THE UNDERGRADUATE NONRESIDENTIAL SCHOOL OFFERS STUDIES LEADING TO ASSOCIATE AND BACCALAUREATE DEGREES AND IS OPEN TO MEN AND WOMEN. THE PROGRAMS PROVIDE FOUNDATIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND COMPETENCE.
- $22.4 million spent. THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OFFERS STUDIES LEADING TO MASTERS, EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST, AND DOCTORAL DEGREES AS WELL AS GRADUATE CERTIFICATES AND IS OPEN TO MEN AND WOMEN. THE PROGRAMS ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO DEVELOP THE PROFICIENCY AND PROFESSIONALISM NECESSARY TO MEET THE CHALLENGES INHERENT IN THEIR FIELDS OF STUDY.
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 November 6, 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 November 1943.
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 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.