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University of Portland

EIN 93-0401259 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceFair65 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

THE UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND, AN INDEPENDENTLY GOVERNED CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY GUIDED BY THE CONGREGATION OF HOLY CROSS, ADDRESSES SIGNIFICANT QUESTIONS OF HUMAN CONCERN THROUGH INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES OF THE ARTS, SCIENCES, AND HUMANITIES AND THROUGH STUDIES IN MAJORS AND PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS AT THE UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE LEVELS. AS A DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF SCHOLARS DEDICATED TO EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION, WE PURSUE TEACHING AND LEARNING, FAITH AND FORMATION, LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE IN THE CLASSROOM, RESIDENCE HALLS, AND ALL ACTIVITIES OF CAMPUS LIFE. BECAUSE WE VALUE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENTIRE PERSON, THE UNIVERSITY HONORS FAITH AND REASON AS WAYS OF KNOWING, PROMOTES ETHICAL REFLECTION, AND PREPARES PEOPLE WHO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF THE WORLD AND ITS HUMAN FAMILY

Income
$280.8 million
Spending
$253.9 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
-3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 76%
Employees
1,838
Volunteers
49
Highest pay
$739,730, coach, men's basketball

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    48 of 50 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 June 30, 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 (2)
  1. $162.8 million spent. POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION: THE PRIMARY MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND IS EDUCATION. 3,285 UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED IN 2024/2025 IN THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, SCHOOL OF NURSING AND SHILEY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING. AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR MISSION IS THE PROVISION OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID TO HELP STUDENTS PURSUE THEIR EDUCATION. A HIGH-QUALITY PERSONALIZED EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND IS AN INVESTMENT IN EACH STUDENT'S FUTURE SUCCESS. WE RECOGNIZE THAT SOME STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES MAY NEED ASSISTANCE TO MEET SOME OF THEIR COLLEGE COSTS, AND WE STRIVE TO HELP FILL THE GAP BETWEEN THE COST OF ATTENDANCE AND FUNDS AVAILABLE TO EACH STUDENT. WE CONNECT STUDENTS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL FUNDING OPTIONS, BUT THE EXPENSES INCLUDED IN THIS CATEGTORY REFLECT SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS THROUGH INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS, ANNUAL AND ENDOWED GIFTS, AND MATCHING OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS.
  2. $67.6 million spent. EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS, STUDENT SERVICES AND CAMPUS LIFE: THE UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND RECOGNIZES THAT AN EDUCATION SHOULD DEVELOP THE ENTIRE PERSON AND ACCORDINGLY MAINTAINS DIVERSE AND COMPREHENSIVE EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS ON CAMPUS. EXPENSES AND REVENUES LISTED ABOVE INCLUDE RESIDENCE HALLS, DINING, NCAA DIVISION I ATHLETICS, INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES, HEALTH AND CAREER SERVICES, ADMISSIONS, REGISTRAR, STUDENT GOVERNMENT AND ACTIVITIES, ADMINISTRATION, FOOD AND HOUSING GRANTS, AND INTRAMURALS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 November 1936.

    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.