Quick charity verification for Southern New Hampshire University (EIN: 20274509)
Verdict: Southern New Hampshire University appears trustworthy
88/100Mission Score
$1.7BRevenue
$1.8BAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Unusual 0% officer compensation reported in summary data, requiring further investigation into full 990 forms.
Strengths
Consistent and substantial revenue growth, from $352.5M in 201406 to $1.37B in 202306.
Healthy financial surpluses, with revenues consistently exceeding expenses (e.g., $109M surplus in 202306).
Strong asset base, growing to $1.62B in 202306, indicating robust financial health.
Positive net assets, with assets significantly exceeding liabilities across all periods.
Demonstrated ability to scale operations and maintain financial stability over a decade.
Spending Breakdown
How Southern New Hampshire University allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
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 Southern New Hampshire University
Is Southern New Hampshire University a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Southern New Hampshire University (EIN: 20274509) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 88/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Southern New Hampshire University a good charity to donate to?
Southern New Hampshire University has a Mission Score of 88/100. Revenue: $1.7B. Assets: $1.8B. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Southern New Hampshire University?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Southern New Hampshire University is 20274509. 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 Southern New Hampshire University spend its money?
Southern New Hampshire University allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Southern New Hampshire University's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Southern New Hampshire University's tax-exempt status using EIN 20274509 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
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) demonstrates robust financial health, with consistent and substantial revenue growth over the past decade, reaching $1.37 billion in the 202306 period. The organization consistently maintains a healthy surplus, with revenues exceeding expenses by over $100 million in recent years (e.g., $109 million in 202306). This indicates strong financial management and sustainability. The asset base has also grown significantly, reaching $1.62 billion in 202306, further solidifying its financial position.
Regarding spending efficiency, SNHU's financial statements indicate a strong focus on its programmatic mission. While specific breakdowns for program, administrative, and fundraising expenses are not directly provided in the summary data, the overall expense ratio (expenses as a percentage of revenue) has remained relatively stable and healthy, typically around 85-90%. This suggests that a significant portion of its income is directed towards its educational activities. The absence of reported officer compensation in the provided data for all periods is a notable aspect of its transparency, though further investigation into the full 990 forms would be needed to understand the compensation structure for key employees.
Overall, SNHU appears to be a financially sound and efficiently managed institution. Its consistent growth, healthy surpluses, and substantial asset base point to a well-stewarded organization. The lack of reported officer compensation in the summary data, while potentially indicating a different compensation structure or reporting method, warrants a deeper look into the detailed 990 filings for a complete transparency assessment.