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Howard Payne University

EIN 75-0800653 · Brownwood, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY IS A CHRIST-CENTERED ACADEMIC COMMUNITY DEDICATED TO EXCELLENCE BY DEVELOPING AND EQUIPPING THE WHOLE PERSON FOR INTELLECTUAL INQUIRY, PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY, AND SERVICE TO GOD AND HUMANITY.

Income
$46.0 million
Spending
$38.5 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 56%
Employees
569
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$356,476, president

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

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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

    28 of 30 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 May 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 (4)
  1. $20.4 million spent. POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION INSTRUCTION: HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY (HPU) OFFERS A FULL ARRAY OF UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS AND FOUR GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN A TRADITIONAL RESIDENTIAL ACADEMIC COMMUNITY. THE UNIVERSITY ALSO OFFERS SELECTED UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE COURSE WORK BY ELECTRONIC MEANS AND AT EXTENDED LEARNING CENTERS IN EL PASO AND NEW BRAUNFELS. STUDENTS AT HPU CHOOSE FROM MORE THAN 100 MAJORS, MINORS AND PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS IN SEVEN SCHOOLS: BUSINESS, CHRISTIAN STUDIES, EDUCATION, HUMANITIES, MUSIC AND FINE ARTS, NURSING, AND SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS. THE GUY D. NEWMAN HONORS ACADEMY CHALLENGES STUDENTS WITH A MULTIDISCIPLINARY CURRICULUM AND EXCITING TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES.
  2. $7.8 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES: HPU IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING WITHIN AND BEYOND THE CLASSROOM. STUDENT ENGAGEMENT IN CAMPUS LIFE IS DESIGNED TO HELP STUDENTS GROW IN RELATIONSHIP TO CHRIST, DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS, BUILD RELATIONSHIPS, PARTICIPATE IN SERVICE TO THE CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY, EXHIBIT PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND HAVE FUN. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE ADMISSIONS, ATHLETICS/INTRAMURALS, BAPTIST STUDENT MINISTRY, CHAPEL, CHEERLEADING, THE COLLEGIUM (TUTORING, ACADEMIC TESTING, ADVISING, CAREER SERVICES AND LEARNING ASSISTANCE), COUNSELING AND HEALTH SERVICES, HPU'S DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, FINANCIAL AID, THE FOOD AND ESSENTIALS PANTRY, THE LIBRARY, MAIL SERVICES, NEW-STUDENT ORIENTATION, RESIDENCE LIFE, STUDENT ACTIVITIES, STUDENT CONDUCT, STUDENT GOVERNMENT, STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, THE WELLNESS CENTER, THE JACKET CLOSET, AND MORE.
  3. $2.9 million spent. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES: HPU'S AUXILIARY PROGRAMS PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO STUDENTS. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE DINING SERVICES (TWO ON-CAMPUS DINING LOCATIONS AND STINGER BUCKS TO USE AT OFF-CAMPUS RESTAURANTS) AND SEVERAL HOUSING OPTIONS. THESE ON-CAMPUS FACILITIES INCLUDE ONE WOMEN'S RESIDENCE HALL, TWO MEN'S RESIDENCE HALLS, A NEWLY RENOVATED STUDENT APARTMENT COMPLEX, AND EIGHT DUPLEX APARTMENTS.
  4. $944,554 spent. PROVIDE ACADEMIC SUPPORT THROUGH LIBRARY AND VARIOUS ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 May 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 1939.

    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.