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Samford University

EIN 63-0312914 · Birmingham, AL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF SAMFORD UNIVERSITY IS TO NURTURE PERSONS IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT OF INTELLECT, CREATIVITY, FAITH, AND PERSONHOOD. AS A CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY, THE COMMUNITY FOSTERS ACADEMIC, CAREER, AND ETHICAL COMPETENCY WHILE ENCOURAGING SOCIAL AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY, AND SERVICE TO OTHERS.

Income
$370.6 million
Spending
$328.2 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
-10.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 75%
Employees
2,876
Volunteers
500
Highest pay
$750,671, 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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 41% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% 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 25

    40 of 40 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. $107.2 million spent. SAMFORD UNIVERSITY, WITH ITS 14:1 STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO IN THE 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR, OFFERED 41 DEGREE PROGRAMS IN 126 MAJORS TO STUDENTS IN TEN ACADEMIC SCHOOLS. STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED FROM 44 STATES (PLUS PUERTO RICO) AND 16 FOREIGN COUNTRIES. THE TUITION AND FEES DERIVED FROM THESE STUDENTS PAID THE SALARIES, WAGES AND BENEFITS OF THE UNIVERSITY'S FACULTY AND STAFF. (Expenses $ 14,101,122 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 20,546,629) SAMFORD UNIVERSITY MAINTAINS A BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS OF ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDINGS AND STUDENT HOUSING.
  2. $103.4 million spent. SAMFORD UNIVERSITY AWARDED OVER $103 MILLION IN AID TO OVER 5,900 STUDENTS DURING THE 2024-2025 AID YEAR.
  3. $65.5 million spent. Additional program services include food services and vending, educational workshops/programs and other types of program services. (Expenses $ 14,101,122 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 20,546,629) SAMFORD UNIVERSITY MAINTAINS A BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS OF ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDINGS AND STUDENT HOUSING.
  4. $14.1 million spent. SAMFORD UNIVERSITY MAINTAINS A BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS OF ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDINGS AND STUDENT HOUSING.

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 October 1951.

    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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