St Lawrence University
St. Lawrence University maintains strong asset growth despite recent operating deficits.
EIN: 150532239 · Canton, NY · NTEE: B42 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is St Lawrence University Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
St Lawrence University directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About St Lawrence University
St Lawrence University (EIN: 150532239) is a nonprofit organization based in Canton, NY, classified under NTEE code B42. The organization reported total revenue of $233.4M and total assets of $688.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of St Lawrence University's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
St Lawrence University is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 93 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 2.6%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $200.6M |
| Total Expenses | $220.8M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-20,209,606 |
| Total Assets | $658.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $162.7M |
| Net Assets | $496.1M |
| Operating Margin | -10.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 24.7% |
| Months of Reserves | 35.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, St Lawrence University reported a deficit of $20.2M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 35.8 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 24.7% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), St Lawrence University's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.6%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -3.1% | +2.1% | +8.6% |
| 2022 | +1.4% | +9.7% | -9.7% |
| 2021 | +1.6% | -4.7% | +15.1% |
| 2020 | -8.6% | -0.2% | +0.1% |
| 2019 | +5.7% | +2.3% | +4.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1933 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates St Lawrence University with a Mission Score of 75 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, St Lawrence 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.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $20.2M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 24.7%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The provided data indicates 0% officer compensation across all listed periods, which suggests executive compensation is either not reported in this specific line item or is covered under other expense categories, requiring further review of the full 990 forms for clarity on executive pay relative to the organization's $233.3M latest revenue.
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 St Lawrence University's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., 202306, 202206, 202006, 201606, 201506, 201406) where expenses exceeded revenue.
- Lack of detailed officer compensation in the provided summary data, making it difficult to assess executive pay transparency without full 990 review.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for St Lawrence University:
- Strong and consistent growth in total assets, from $493.9M in 201406 to $658.8M in 202306, indicating robust financial management.
- Substantial asset base ($688.1M latest) significantly exceeding liabilities ($162.7M in 202306), providing financial stability.
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), suggesting consistent compliance and transparency in reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions about St Lawrence University
Is St Lawrence University a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, St Lawrence University (EIN: 150532239) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does St Lawrence University spend its money?
St Lawrence University directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to St Lawrence University tax-deductible?
St Lawrence University is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 150532239). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Why have expenses exceeded revenue in recent years (e.g., 202306 and 202206)?
In 202306, expenses were $220.8M against $200.6M in revenue, and in 202206, expenses were $216.2M against $207.0M in revenue. This could be due to strategic investments, endowment drawdowns, or temporary operational costs, which would require a deeper dive into the full financial statements.
What is the breakdown of the '0% Officer Comp' reported in the filings?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all periods suggests that executive salaries might be included within other expense categories (e.g., program or administrative expenses) or are not directly reported as 'Officer Comp' in the summarized data. A review of the full IRS Form 990, Part VII, Section A would clarify this.
How does St. Lawrence University manage its significant asset base?
With assets growing from $493.9M in 201406 to $658.8M in 202306, the university appears to have robust investment strategies. Understanding the composition of these assets (e.g., endowment, property, plant, and equipment) and their investment performance would provide further insight.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for St Lawrence University showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), St Lawrence University's revenue has grown by 35.5%, moving from $148.1M to $200.6M. Total assets increased by 45.8% over the same period, from $451.8M to $658.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 50.2%, from $147.1M to $220.8M. In its most recent filing year (2023), St Lawrence University reported a deficit of $20.2M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $162.7M in liabilities against $658.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 24.7%), resulting in net assets of $496.1M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $200.6M | $220.8M | $658.8M | $162.7M | — | — |
| 2022 | $207.0M | $216.3M | $606.5M | $129.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $204.2M | $197.2M | $671.6M | $137.0M | — | — |
| 2020 | $201.0M | $207.0M | $583.5M | $141.4M | — | — |
| 2019 | $219.8M | $207.4M | $583.2M | $143.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $208.0M | $202.8M | $560.9M | $139.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $202.7M | $192.5M | $542.8M | $140.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $180.5M | $187.5M | $497.0M | $142.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $170.6M | $180.0M | $486.7M | $138.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $167.9M | $172.4M | $494.0M | $142.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $160.2M | $163.8M | $457.5M | $143.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $156.8M | $151.7M | $436.6M | $141.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $148.1M | $147.1M | $451.8M | $143.5M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $200.6M, expenses of $220.8M, and assets of $658.8M (revenue -3.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $207.0M, expenses of $216.3M, and assets of $606.5M (revenue +1.4% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $204.2M, expenses of $197.2M, and assets of $671.6M (revenue +1.6% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $201.0M, expenses of $207.0M, and assets of $583.5M (revenue -8.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $219.8M, expenses of $207.4M, and assets of $583.2M (revenue +5.7% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $208.0M, expenses of $202.8M, and assets of $560.9M (revenue +2.6% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $202.7M, expenses of $192.5M, and assets of $542.8M (revenue +12.3% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $180.5M, expenses of $187.5M, and assets of $497.0M (revenue +5.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $170.6M, expenses of $180.0M, and assets of $486.7M (revenue +1.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $167.9M, expenses of $172.4M, and assets of $494.0M (revenue +4.8% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $160.2M, expenses of $163.8M, and assets of $457.5M (revenue +2.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $156.8M, expenses of $151.7M, and assets of $436.6M (revenue +5.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $148.1M, expenses of $147.1M, and assets of $451.8M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for St Lawrence 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.