Quick charity verification for Excelsior University (EIN: 161532850)
Verdict: Excelsior University appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$83.3MRevenue
$74.7MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed spending breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which may obscure actual executive pay
Strengths
Consistent revenue generation, averaging over $80 million annually over the past decade
Positive net assets, with assets generally exceeding liabilities
Decreasing trend in liabilities from $35,094,552 in 2016 to $19,358,664 in 2023
Generally stable financial operations with expenses typically below or in line with revenue
Spending Breakdown
How Excelsior University allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Excelsior University
Is Excelsior University a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Excelsior University (EIN: 161532850) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Excelsior University a good charity to donate to?
Excelsior University has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $83.3M. Assets: $74.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Excelsior University?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Excelsior University is 161532850. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does Excelsior University spend its money?
Excelsior University allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Excelsior University's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Excelsior University's tax-exempt status using EIN 161532850 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
Excelsior University demonstrates generally stable financial health over the past decade, with revenues consistently in the range of $70-100 million. In the most recent filing (202306), the organization reported revenues of $74,436,577 against expenses of $70,026,821, indicating a surplus. While assets have fluctuated, they show a positive trend, reaching $69,059,242 in 2023. The organization's liabilities have also seen a general decrease from a high of $35,094,552 in 2016 to $19,358,664 in 2023, which is a positive indicator of financial management.
Spending efficiency appears reasonable, with expenses generally aligning with or slightly below revenues in most years, preventing significant deficits. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a high degree of transparency regarding executive pay, or that executive compensation is not reported in this section of the 990, which would warrant further investigation. The NTEE code B42Z indicates a focus on higher education, aligning with the university's mission.
Overall, Excelsior University appears to be a financially sound institution with a consistent operational history. The positive net assets and decreasing liabilities, coupled with a transparent approach to executive compensation reporting (or lack thereof in the specified field), contribute to a favorable assessment of its financial health and transparency. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is limited.