Friends of Freiburg University Ltd
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FRIENDS OF FREIBURG UNIVERSITY, LTD. ("FRIENDS") IS FORMED FOR THE EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE OF FACILITATING STUDENT AND CULTURAL EXCHANGES AND PROMOTING JOINT EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY OF FREIBURG (GERMANY) AND AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES. FRIENDS WILL IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES FOR US STUDENTS TO LIVE IN GERMANY AND STUDY AT FREIBURG UNIVERSITY ON A TEMPORARY BASIS, AND WILL IDENTIFY AND RECRUIT US COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE PROGRAMS AND HOST GERMAN STUDENTS TO LIVE AND STUDY IN THE US UNDER THEIR AUSPICES. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THIS ACTIVITY IS TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO DEVELOP AND IMPROVE THEIR CAPABILITIES BY BEING EXPOSED TO CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPERIENCES THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES OF FAMILIES IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY AND STUDY AT RECOGNIZED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OUTSIDE THE US. FRIENDS' ROLE WILL BE TO COORDINATE AND FACILITATE THESE EXCHANGES, WORKING CLOSELY WITH US AND GERMAN EDUCATORS. FRIENDS WIL
- Income
- $35,029
- Spending
- $59,249
- Reserves
- 17.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 17.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 69% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (1)
- $38,810 spent. Friends of Freiburg University, Ltd. Accomplishments 2025 Commitment to MissionFriends of Freiburg University, Ltd. (Friends) is committed to its mission of developing a strong and vibrant community on both sides of the Atlantic that includes the building of a robust network and the strengthening of the ties between the North American community, the university, the city of Freiburg and beyond. In pursuit of these goals, Friends held its flagship event, the Annual Dinner & Conference in March of 2025 with its themes of innovation in art and in the wider economic sphere. With the goal to strengthen connections within the alumni community, Friends re-launched a monthly newsletter in 2025 to keep alumni informed and engaged and hosted various events (both virtual and in-person) throughout the year. Alumni Engagement ActivitiesIn 2025, Friends organized a series of events to promote cultural and intellectual exchange. These included four in-person cultural events, such as its Artist Studio Tour/ Visit with the Artist series and a special Film Screening. Additionally, Friends held five virtual discussions, featuring topics like opera introductions and book discussions. The organization also facilitated one in-person roundtable discussion on economic developments, conducted in collaboration with a transatlantic partner. To encourage networking, Friends hosted three Stammtisch gatherings and other networking events. Its flagship event was the Annual Conference held on March 28 at the Penn Club of New York, which featured a roundtable discussion centered on Fostering Innovation. GivingThe Annual Dinner & Conference held on March 27th at the Penn Club of New York brought together 100 guests from the German American transatlantic community, including alumni based in the New York City metro area, partner organizations, and delegates from the University of Freiburg. This event as well as the Friends' annual donation appeal in December - Giving Tuesday - gave impetus to members of the community to give. These initiatives were central to advancing the organizations mission and enabling Friends of Freiburg to support the University of Freiburg in several ways including the giving of money - earmarked for the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies and the University College Freiburg - as well as the overarching goal of raising the profile of the University in the US.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 December 2016.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Friends University (Wichita, KS), EIN 48-0547702. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.