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Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities

EIN 74-2466103 · San Antonio, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HACUS MISSION IS TO CHAMPION HISPANIC SUCCESS IN HIGHER EDUCATION. HACU FULFILLS ITS MISSION BY PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF MEMBER COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, IMPROVING ACCESS TO AND THE QUALITY OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES OF HISPANIC STUDENTS, AND MEETING THE NEEDS OF BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, AND GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT AND SHARING OF RESOURCES, INFORMATION, AND EXPERTISE.

Income
$16.9 million
Spending
$19.0 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
261
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$871,420, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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

    18 of 18 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 December 31, 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 (5)
  1. $7.0 million spent. STUDENTS AND FACULTY DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOLARSHIPS - ARE COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS FUNDED BY FEDERAL AGENCIES, CORPORATIONS, AND FOUNDATIONS IN CONJUNCTION WITH HISPANIC SERVING INSTITUTIONS (HSI). THE PROGRAM AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS AND IS FUNDED BY VARIOUS CORPORATE AND FEDERAL SPONSORS.
  2. $3.4 million spent. STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM - HACU NATIONAL INTERNSHIP PROHRAM (HNIP) FACILITATES THE PLACEMENT OF COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED HIGH LEVELS OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND PERSONAL MOTIVATION IN INTERNSHIPS WITH VARIOUS AGENCIES OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND CORPORATIONS. THE GOALS OF THE PROGRAM ARE TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES BY ASSISTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND CORPORATIONS IN DEVELOPING AND DIVERSIFYING THEIR HUMAN RESOURCE POOL.
  3. $2.7 million spent. CONFERENCES, EVENTS AND OTHERS - PROVIDES CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS DURING THE YEAR TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION AND SURVEYS RELATED TO THE GOALS AND MISSION OF HACU. THIS PROGRAM IS PRIMARILY FUNDED BY CONFERENCE FEES AND DONATIONS.
  4. $1.7 million spent. ADVOCACY - ASSIST ADVOCATES AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD ON THE MOST IMPORTANT PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES IMPACTING HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS (HSIS) AND OTHER HACU MEMBER COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
  5. ADVOCACY - ASSIST ADVOCATES AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS 1722944. 0. 0.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 February 1988.

    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.

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.