Auburn University Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Auburn, Alabama, registered in 1960, with $139,201,323 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 88% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2023)
$139.2M
▲ 31.4% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2023)
$75.6M
Net assets
$1.0B
Employees
95
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Auburn University Foundation: 88% to programs · $5 to raise $100 earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Auburn University Foundation: 163 mo reserves · +46% margin earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Auburn University Foundation: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Auburn University Foundation: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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The organization operates for the exclusive benefit of auburn university, an educational, land-grant institution which is tax exempt under irc section 115.
Expenditures made by auburn university foundation (auf) on behalf of au in support of its academic, outreach and research missions.
Grants to auburn university real estate foundation, inc.(auref), for operations and the transfer of real properties to au for perpetual management.
Revenue grew from $86.0M (FY2013) to $139.2M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
45.7%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$1.1B
Total liabilities
$44.3M
Net assets
$1.0B
Salaries & benefits
$563K
1% of expenses
Board members
21
21 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $139,201,323▲31.4% | $75,639,219▲21.1% | $1,028,379,053▲18.3% | $1,072,650,055▲17.9% | 990 |
| 2022 | $105,901,553▼22.2% | $62,477,114▼18.1% | $869,597,070▲13.0% | $909,567,231▲12.5% | 990 |
| 2021 | $136,125,089▲40.5% | $76,266,464▲3.7% | $769,840,520▼5.9% | $808,830,854▼5.7% | 990 |
| 2020 | $96,896,842▲37.5% | $73,551,519▲35.0% | $817,983,432▲20.9% | $857,894,187▲20.8% | 990 |
| 2019 | $70,458,731▲1.6% | $54,491,105▼2.7% | $676,337,008▲4.4% | $710,019,152▲4.2% | 990 |
| 2018 | $69,327,498▲8.7% | $55,988,866▼20.0% | $648,031,389▲1.8% | $681,507,810▲1.9% | 990 |
| 2017 | $63,800,157▼24.0% | $69,964,494▲10.8% | $636,874,036▲1.2% | $668,813,432▲1.6% | 990 |
| 2016 | $83,944,398▲5.9% | $63,152,479▼1.1% | $629,503,526▲10.3% | $658,449,995▲10.1% | 990 |
| 2015 | $79,296,898▼32.8% | $63,833,128▲44.3% | $570,875,079▲9.1% | $597,893,058▲8.8% | 990 |
| 2014 | $117,996,124▲37.2% | $44,239,182▲12.5% | $523,147,332▲10.2% | $549,493,387▲9.6% | 990 |
| 2013 | $86,021,590 | $39,320,136 | $474,719,117 | $501,506,778 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Highest-paid: Robert Wellbaum — $328,374 (0.43% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Wellbaum | President | 9.6 | $328,374 |
| Erin Lewis | Cheif Operations Officer | 9.2 | $258,917 |
| John Morris | Former President | 0 | $238,719 |
| William Williams | Executive Director, Regional Development | 2 | $208,820 |
| Margaret Arnold | Vice President | 6 | $174,316 |
| Alesia Davenport | Sr Director, Gift Planning | 2 | $171,514 |
| William Hughes | Chief Financial Officer | 23.6 | $166,859 |
| Daniel Sasser | Chief Engagement Officer | 4 | $153,358 |
| Regena Isbell | Assistant Treasurer | 20.4 | $141,311 |
| Rebecca Coan | Sr Major Gifts Officer | 2 | $131,647 |
| Timothy Jones Thru 53124 | Information Security Officer | 5.2 | $130,943 |
| Jennifer Stephens | Sr. Dir. Advancement Compliance | 2 | $126,708 |
| Lee Sheppard | Assistant Treasurer | 22 | $102,072 |
| Wanda Sperow | Secretary | 36 | $89,752 |
| Laurel Hendrix | Assistant Secretary | 20 | $77,727 |
| Shauna Monroe | Assistant Treasurer | 12.8 | $76,332 |
| Beau Byrd | Director | 1.46 | — |
| Beth Stukes | Director | 1.69 | — |
| Bruce Donnellan | Director | 1.77 | — |
| Dan Arnold | Director | 1.85 | — |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Terra Cotta Catering Co | Catering | $769,382 |
| Affinaquest LLC | Fundraising Support | $698,409 |
| The Hotel At Auburn University | Hospitality | $525,432 |
| Salesforcecom Inc | Fundraising Support | $384,807 |
| Blackbaud Inc | Fundraising Support | $328,858 |
358 grants to Auburn University Foundation totaling $55.0M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
4 grants totaling $60.9M in FY2023. All grants made by Auburn University Foundation →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn University | Academic, research, outreach, nonacademic, faculty, capital support, student services, intercollegiate athletics, library, institutional administration, student financial aid, & other program support | $60,341,757 |
| Tigers Unlimited Foundation | Intercollegiate athletics | $372,065 |
| Auburn University Real Estate Foundation Inc | Capital support | $217,000 |
| Auburn Alumni Association Inc | Alumni relations | $18,247 |
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Data for Auburn University Foundation (EIN 63-6022422) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.