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Abilene Christian University

EIN 75-0851900 · Abilene, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

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

ACU IS A NATIONAL LEADER IN CHRISTIAN HIGHER EDUCATION, AND THE MISSION IS TO EDUCATE STUDENTS FOR CHRISTIAN SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. ACU IS A VIBRANT, INNOVATIVE, CHRIST-CENTERED COMMUNITY THAT ENGAGES STUDENTS IN AUTHENTIC SPIRITUAL AND INTELLECTUAL GROWTH, EQUIPPING THEM TO MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

Income
$325.5 million
Spending
$295.1 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 69%
Employees
3,124
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$694,994, 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: 66 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    31 of 31 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (3)
  1. $171.1 million spent. ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY IS A HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION WHICH SERVES APPROXIMATELY 6,300 GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS. IN ADDITION TO EDUCATING THE STUDENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OFFERS ON-CAMPUS AND OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING, ON-CAMPUS FOOD SERVICE, ATHLETIC PROGRAMS AND ASSISTANCE WITH STUDENT AID. ACU ALSO OPERATES PROGRAMS TO FOSTER RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALUMNI OF THE UNIVERSITY.
  2. $25.9 million spent. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES INTEGRATE LIVING, LEARNING, AND FAITH, WHEREBY STUDENTS LEARN TO LIVE LIVES OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. IT COMBINES WHAT STUDENTS LEARN IN THE CLASSROOM WITH PRACTICAL APPLICATION THAT WILL PREPARE THEM FOR REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES.
  3. $8.9 million spent. EDUCATION SERVICES INCLUDES ACADEMIC COUNSELING AND TESTING SERVICES, HEALTH SERVICES, AND STUDY ABROAD ACTIVITIES THAT ARE ALL DESIGNED TO ENHANCE A STUDENT'S LEARNING EXPERIENCE AND THE OVERALL QUALITY OF A STUDENT'S EDUCATION.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1941.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.