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Western Athletic Conference

EIN 84-0516838 · Arlington, TX

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 CONFERENCE IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING STUDENT-ATHLETES AN EXEMPLARY UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE - BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD OF PLAY. WITH HIGH STANDARDS OF INTEGRITY AT THE CORE OF OUR ATHLETIC AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCES, OUR GOAL IS TO UNLOCK THE POTENIAL OF THE NATION'S PREMIER STUDENT ATHLETES AND TO PREPARE THEM TO BECOME THE LEADERS OF THE FUTURE.

Income
$10.7 million
Spending
$15.7 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 62%
Employees
15
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$373,282, commissioner

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 47% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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, 2026, 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. $11.0 million spent. THE PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE IS TO FORM AN ATHLETICS CONFERENCE, THE MEMBERS OF WHICH SHALL INCORPORATE PROGRAMS AND SHALL PLACE AND MAINTAIN SUCH ATHLETICS UNDER THE SAME ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACADEMIC CONTROL AS EXISTS IN THEIR OTHER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE CONFERENCE ESTABLISHES THE REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE FOR ALL SPONSORED TEAM SPORTS AS WELL AS PARTICIPATORY GUIDELINES FOR EACH SPONSORED SPORT. THE CONFERENCE HOSTS 19 CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE SPORTS OF MEN'S AND WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SOCCER, VOLLEYBALL, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SWIMMING AND DIVING, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TENNIS, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S GOLF, SOFTBALL, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD, AND BASEBALL. CHAMPIONSHIPS GOVERNED BY THE CONFERENCE PROVIDE EQUITABLE AND COMPETITIVE ACCESS TO THE POST SEASON AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL. THE PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE IS TO FORM AN ATHLETICS CONFERENCE, THE MEMBERS OF WHICH SHALL INCORPORATE PROGRAMS AND SHALL PLACE AND MAINTAIN SUCH ATHLETICS UNDER THE SAME ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACADEMIC CONTROL AS EXISTS IN THEIR OTHER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE CONFERENCE ESTABLISHES THE REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE FOR ALL SPONSORED TEAM SPORTS AS WELL AS PARTICIPATORY GUIDELINES FOR EACH SPONSORED SPORT. THE CONFERENCE HOSTS 19 CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE SPORTS OF MEN'S AND WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SOCCER, VOLLEYBALL, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SWIMMING AND DIVING, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TENNIS, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S GOLF, SOFTBALL, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD, AND BASEBALL. CHAMPIONSHIPS GOVERNED BY THE CONFERENCE PROVIDE EQUITABLE AND COMPETITIVE ACCESS TO THE POST SEASON AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL.
  2. $2.9 million spent. AS PART OF THE NCAA STRUCTURE, EACH CONFERENCE RECEIVES A STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND AND ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENT FUND THAT ARE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL MEMBERS AND ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE BENEFITS TO STUDENT ATHLETES, OR THEIR FAMILIES, IN THE MEETING FINANCIAL NEEDS THAT ARISE IN CONJUNCTION WITH PARTICIPATION IN INERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS, ENROLLMENT IN AN ACADEMIC CURRICULUM, OR THAT RECOGNIZE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. THE CONFERENCE ALSO INCURS EXPENSES IN THIS AREA THAT ENSURE THAT EACH OF THE SCHOOLS AND ITS ENTIRE ATHLETIC PROGRAMS, INCLUDING COACHES, STUDENT ATHLETES, ADMINISTRATORS AND STAFF REMAIN IN COMPLIANCE WITH BYLAWS AND RULES ESTABLISHED BY THE NCAA.
  3. $414,055 spent. THE UNITED ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (UAC) IS AN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE FORMED FOR THE SPORT OF FOOTBALL. ITS MEMBERS COMPETE IN THE NCAA DIVISION 1 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION (FCS). THE UAC ORIGINATED AS A MERGER OF THE EXISTING FOOTBALL LEAGUES OF THE WAC AND ATLANTIC SUN CONFERENCE (ASUN).

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2026, 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 2026.

    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 March 1998.

    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.