Franklin Pierce University

Franklin Pierce University faces recent operating deficits despite stable asset base, with unclear executive compensation reporting.

EIN: 20263136 · Rindge, NH · NTEE: B420 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$132.1MRevenue

$90.4MAssets

65/100Mission Score (Good)

B420

About Franklin Pierce University

Franklin Pierce University (EIN: 20263136) is a nonprofit organization based in Rindge, NH, classified under NTEE code B420. The organization reported total revenue of $132.1M and total assets of $90.4M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Franklin Pierce University's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

Franklin Pierce University demonstrates a relatively stable financial position over the past decade, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities. However, recent filings show a slight decline in revenue and an increase in expenses, leading to a net loss in the 202305 period (Revenue=$85,806,266, Expenses=$86,816,801). This trend warrants close monitoring to ensure long-term sustainability. The organization's NTEE code B420 indicates a focus on higher education, which typically involves significant program service expenses.

Spending efficiency appears to be a mixed bag. While the university has generally managed to keep expenses in line with revenue, the recent deficit suggests potential challenges in cost management or revenue generation. Without detailed breakdowns of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is difficult. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation in the provided data is unusual for an organization of this size and may indicate a reporting anomaly or a specific compensation structure not fully captured, which could impact transparency.

Transparency regarding executive compensation is a concern given the 0% reported officer compensation across all provided filings. For an institution with annual revenues exceeding $80 million, it is highly improbable that no officers receive compensation. This lack of detailed compensation information for key personnel reduces the overall transparency of the organization's financial practices. Further investigation into the full IRS 990 forms would be necessary to understand the complete compensation structure and ensure proper disclosure.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Franklin Pierce University with a Mission Score of 65 out of 100 (Good). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.

Spending Breakdown

admin: 15%
programs: 80%
fundraising: 5%

According to IRS 990 filings, Franklin Pierce University allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all provided filings for an organization with revenues exceeding $80 million annually is highly unusual and raises significant transparency questions. It is improbable that no officers receive compensation, suggesting either a reporting anomaly or a compensation structure that is not clearly disclosed in the summarized data.

Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.

Red Flags

The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Franklin Pierce University's IRS 990 filings:

Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size and raises transparency concerns.
Operating deficit in the most recent filing (202305), with expenses exceeding revenue by over $1 million.
Slight decline in revenue from 202205 to 202305, indicating potential financial pressures.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Franklin Pierce University:

Stable asset base, consistently exceeding liabilities over the past decade, indicating financial solvency.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), suggesting consistent compliance.
Significant revenue generation, with latest reported revenue at $132,096,880, demonstrating substantial operational scale.

Frequently Asked Questions about Franklin Pierce University

Why is officer compensation consistently reported as 0% across all filings?

The provided data consistently shows 0% officer compensation, which is highly unusual for an organization of Franklin Pierce University's size and revenue. This suggests either a reporting anomaly in the summarized data or a compensation structure that is not being fully disclosed, warranting further investigation into the full IRS 990 forms.

What caused the operating deficit in the 202305 period?

In the 202305 period, Franklin Pierce University reported revenues of $85,806,266 and expenses of $86,816,801, resulting in an operating deficit. The specific causes are not detailed in the provided summary but could stem from declining enrollment, increased operational costs, or reduced funding.

How does the university plan to address the recent trend of declining revenue and increasing expenses?

The provided data shows a slight decline in revenue from $91,004,046 in 202205 to $85,806,266 in 202305, coupled with increasing expenses. The summary does not detail specific plans, but addressing this trend would likely involve strategies for enrollment growth, cost containment, or diversification of revenue streams.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Franklin Pierce University showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:

Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Franklin Pierce University's revenue has grown by 26.1%, moving from $68.0M to $85.8M. Total assets increased by 23.5% over the same period, from $75.1M to $92.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 28.2%, from $67.7M to $86.8M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Franklin Pierce University reported a deficit of $1.0M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $46.5M in liabilities against $92.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 50.1%), resulting in net assets of $46.2M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$85.8M	$86.8M	$92.8M	$46.5M	—	View 990
2022	$91.0M	$87.3M	$94.2M	$47.2M	—	View 990
2021	$91.8M	$86.5M	$96.3M	$49.2M	—	View 990
2020	$89.9M	$87.2M	$85.7M	$46.1M	—	View 990
2019	$87.5M	$84.9M	$82.9M	$46.8M	—	View 990
2018	$86.6M	$81.8M	$81.4M	$47.5M	—	View 990
2017	$86.0M	$82.2M	$76.4M	$47.6M	—	View 990
2016	$79.9M	$74.2M	$78.7M	$52.2M	—	View 990
2015	$75.9M	$71.8M	$74.1M	$53.0M	—	View 990
2014	$73.2M	$73.3M	$71.8M	$54.1M	—	View 990
2013	$68.8M	$68.1M	$72.3M	$54.8M	—	View 990
2012	$65.1M	$66.1M	$73.1M	$56.2M	—	View 990
2011	$68.0M	$67.7M	$75.1M	$56.6M	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $85.8M, expenses of $86.8M, and assets of $92.8M (revenue -5.7% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $91.0M, expenses of $87.3M, and assets of $94.2M (revenue -0.9% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $91.8M, expenses of $86.5M, and assets of $96.3M (revenue +2.1% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $89.9M, expenses of $87.2M, and assets of $85.7M (revenue +2.8% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $87.5M, expenses of $84.9M, and assets of $82.9M (revenue +1.1% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $86.6M, expenses of $81.8M, and assets of $81.4M (revenue +0.7% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $86.0M, expenses of $82.2M, and assets of $76.4M (revenue +7.6% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $79.9M, expenses of $74.2M, and assets of $78.7M (revenue +5.3% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $75.9M, expenses of $71.8M, and assets of $74.1M (revenue +3.6% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $73.2M, expenses of $73.3M, and assets of $71.8M (revenue +6.5% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $68.8M, expenses of $68.1M, and assets of $72.3M (revenue +5.6% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $65.1M, expenses of $66.1M, and assets of $73.1M (revenue -4.3% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $68.0M, expenses of $67.7M, and assets of $75.1M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Franklin Pierce University is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.

IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.