Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Saint Marys University

EIN 98-1358092 · Canada

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY (SMU) IS TO OFFER UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS; TO ENGAGE IN RESEARCH AND DISSEMINATE ITS RESULTS; AND TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY FROM THE LOCAL TO THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL.

Income
$121.8 million
Spending
$129.8 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
4.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 58%
Employees
0
Volunteers
220
Highest pay
$313,573, president and vice-chancellor

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 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

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 35 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

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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. $65.2 million spent. HIGHER EDUCATION: SMU IS A PUBLIC LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCE DEGREE-GRANTING INSTITUTION COMMITTED TO THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND FOSTERING OF CRITICAL, CREATIVE, AND INDEPENDENT THINKING.
  2. $10.2 million spent. RESEARCH: THE RESEARCH MISSION OF SMU IS TO ENGAGE IN RESEARCH THAT APPLIES TO, AND IS VALUED BY, COMMUNITIES FROM AROUND THE CORNER TO AROUND THE WORLD. OUR MISSION ALSO INVOLVES CULTIVATING INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY AND CREATIVITY WITHIN OUR FACULTY AND STUDENTS.
  3. $3.9 million spent. SMU BELIEVES LIVING IN A RESIDENCE COMMUNITY PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING AND GROWTH THAT ARE EQUALLY AS VALUABLE AS THOSE AVAILABLE TO THEM IN THE CLASSROOM. AS SUCH, RESIDENCE AT SMU HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO REFLECT A COMMITMENT TO THE HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT AND PERSONAL GROWTH OF OUR RESIDENCE COMMUNITY STUDENTS. SMU STRIVES TO ENSURE THAT THE RESIDENCE COMMUNITY FOLLOWS AN APPROACH BASED ON PROFESSIONAL BEST PRACTICES, AS WELL AS THE INTERESTS AND DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS.
  4. $26.2 million spent. SMU PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF OTHER SERVICES RELATED TO ITS CORE MISSION OF POST SECONDARY EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND OUTREACH INCLUDING ATHLETICS& RECREATION, DINING SERVICES, CAMPUS BOOKSTORE, AND CONFERENCES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 March 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 September 2018.

    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.