Aurora University is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Aurora, Illinois, registered in 1941, with $184,679,910 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 87% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2024)
$184.7M
▲ 6.2% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2024)
$177.2M
Net assets
$196.7M
Employees
1,796
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 Aurora University: 87% to programs · $6 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 Aurora University: 13 mo reserves · +4% margin earns a A 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 Aurora University: 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 Aurora University: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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To provide post-secondary undergraduate and graduate education.
Aurora university has residence hall capacity of 685 beds on its aurora campus. food service for students and staff is provided at three locations on the aurora campus, additionally, a bookstore on the aurora campus sells textbooks, supplies and miscellaneous convenience items to students, faculty and staff.
Revenue grew from $114.1M (FY2013) to $184.7M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
4.0%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$255.4M
Total liabilities
$58.6M
Net assets
$196.7M
Salaries & benefits
$52.8M
30% of expenses
Board members
20
20 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $184,679,910▲6.2% | $177,217,003▲3.1% | $196,708,989▲5.9% | $255,356,798▲3.6% | 990 |
| 2023 | $173,819,493▲0.6% | $171,935,401▲4.0% | $185,812,442▲2.8% | $246,432,083▲1.1% | 990 |
| 2022 | $172,803,114▼2.0% | $165,286,413▼1.1% | $180,691,339▲5.4% | $243,783,011▲0.4% | 990 |
| 2021 | $176,376,735▲9.7% | $167,200,465▲12.3% | $171,442,838▲0.3% | $242,777,024▲0.4% | 990 |
| 2020 | $160,759,615▲6.7% | $148,872,793▲1.5% | $170,915,035▲12.9% | $241,910,943▲9.0% | 990 |
| 2019 | $150,735,428▲5.9% | $146,699,727▲8.3% | $151,414,485▲1.9% | $221,966,879▲6.1% | 990 |
| 2018 | $142,368,313▲6.7% | $135,489,040▲7.8% | $148,637,078▲6.3% | $209,110,727▲6.1% | 990 |
| 2017 | $133,484,773▲3.9% | $125,666,948▲8.5% | $139,812,929▲5.9% | $197,048,800▲4.3% | 990 |
| 2016 | $128,429,688▲11.9% | $115,846,215▲0.3% | $131,985,367▲12.5% | $188,871,991▲9.8% | 990 |
| 2015 | $114,748,187▲2.2% | $115,548,082▲8.4% | $117,353,716▼1.4% | $172,002,410▲0.6% | 990 |
| 2014 | $112,259,769▼1.6% | $106,548,202▲5.5% | $119,047,427▲3.5% | $170,939,068▲4.2% | 990 |
| 2013 | $114,103,498 | $100,998,068▲8.4% | $114,967,559▲13.4% | $164,038,098▲9.6% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $93,187,623▲6.4% | $101,395,034▲8.7% | $149,718,319▲5.6% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $87,572,162▲6.7% | $93,287,436▲1.0% | $141,734,879▲0.6% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $82,075,948 | $92,344,690 | $140,879,006 | 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: Susana Rivera-mills — $540,972 (0.31% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Susana Rivera-mills | President | 40 | $540,972 |
| Jeffrey A King | Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | 40 | $348,603 |
| Sharon W Maxwell | Treasurer & Svp For Business & Finance | 40 | $306,594 |
| Deborah Maue | Senior Vice President For Enrollment and Marketing | 40 | $291,121 |
| John Andrew Prall | Former Vp Academic Affairs | 40 | $287,486 |
| Donald Beebe | Head Football Coach | 40 | $275,154 |
| Margaret Howes | Senior Vice President For Advancement | 40 | $260,768 |
| Rebecca L Sherrick | Former University President | 0 | $185,658 |
| Rebecca Flaminio | Board Secretary & Sr Exec Asst/board Professional | 40 | $145,881 |
| Amir Kirkwood | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Ann Sheets | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Austin Dempsey | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Brian Konen | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Chad A Deking | Vice Chair | 2 | — |
| Charles B Doss | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Douglas J Craft | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Hilary K Brennan | Trustee | 1 | — |
| James A Byrd Jr | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Jj Kinahan | Trustee | 1 | — |
| John D Ammons | Chair | 2 | — |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Risepoint LLC | Online Class Management | $5,672,068 |
| Southeast Service Ssc | Facilities Service Management | $4,965,526 |
| Wiley Education Services LLC | Online Class Management | $4,375,033 |
| Compass Group USA | Food Service Management | $3,681,586 |
| Boldt Construction | Construction | $2,348,397 |
41 grants to Aurora University totaling $780K, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $6,653 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Education | 2023 | $30,600 |
| Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc | The lake geneva "music by the lake" | 2023 | $25,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2023 | $23,350 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Education | 2023 | $12,000 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Education | 2022 | $29,300 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2022 | $24,500 |
| National Philanthropic Tr | Education | 2022 | $17,000 |
| The Chicago Community Trust | Support for music by the lake (no tickets or tangible benefits) | 2022 | $10,000 |
| Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc | Lake geneva 'music by the lake' | 2022 | $10,000 |
| Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund | General support | 2022 | $7,500 |
| National Philanthropic Tr | Education | 2021 | $75,000 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Education | 2021 | $32,700 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2021 | $24,800 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2021 | $24,800 |
1 grant totaling $12K in FY2019. All grants made by Aurora University →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cities In Schools Aurora 2000 Inc | Federal work study program | $12,413 |
Explore more
Data for Aurora University (EIN 36-2166964) 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.