Brenau University Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Gainesville, Georgia, registered in 1943, with $106,716,559 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 89% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2024)
$106.7M
▲ 54.1% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2024)
$73.3M
Net assets
$132.9M
Employees
438
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 Brenau University Inc: 89% to programs · $7 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 Brenau University Inc: 22 mo reserves · +31% 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 Brenau University Inc: 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 Brenau University Inc: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Brenau university challenges students to live extraordinary lives of personal and professional fulfillment. as students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees or non-degree programs at brenau campuses and online, each prepares for a lifetime of intellectual accomplishment and appreciation of artistic expression through a curriculum enriched by the liberal arts, scientific inquiry and global awareness.
The undergraduate nonresidential school offers studies leading to associate and baccalaureate degrees and is open to men and women. the programs provide foundations for individual and professional growth and competence.
The graduate school offers studies leading to masters, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees as well as graduate certificates and is open to men and women. the programs encourage students to develop the proficiency and professionalism necessary to meet the challenges inherent in their fields of study.
Revenue grew from $53.8M (FY2013) to $106.7M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
31.3%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$178.3M
Total liabilities
$45.5M
Net assets
$132.9M
Salaries & benefits
$31.7M
43% of expenses
Board members
25
25 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $106,716,559▲54.1% | $73,300,154▲2.8% | $132,865,572▲10.7% | $178,330,104▲8.5% | 990 |
| 2023 | $69,270,776▼5.6% | $71,278,724▲0.5% | $120,011,020▲3.5% | $164,390,355▲2.7% | 990 |
| 2022 | $73,418,313▲1.6% | $70,956,183▼1.5% | $115,918,768▲6.0% | $160,044,852▲10.8% | 990 |
| 2021 | $72,278,952▼0.6% | $72,049,268▲4.7% | $109,402,874▼8.8% | $144,437,507▼7.6% | 990 |
| 2020 | $72,732,338▼1.3% | $68,804,066▲0.6% | $119,992,206▲19.7% | $156,256,059▲13.1% | 990 |
| 2019 | $73,682,721▲11.0% | $68,386,810▲5.4% | $100,270,445▲4.2% | $138,158,493▲7.3% | 990 |
| 2018 | $66,375,208▲2.4% | $64,870,707▲1.8% | $96,190,092▲2.0% | $128,711,395▲4.0% | 990 |
| 2017 | $64,828,239▲1.8% | $63,698,518▲5.0% | $94,346,637▲4.6% | $123,791,394▲2.6% | 990 |
| 2016 | $63,696,123▲10.8% | $60,653,690▲6.8% | $90,233,273▲6.9% | $120,662,720▲4.2% | 990 |
| 2015 | $57,502,613▼0.1% | $56,812,528▲4.7% | $84,418,749▼1.1% | $115,847,159▼4.0% | 990 |
| 2014 | $57,573,147▲7.0% | $54,284,247▲9.8% | $85,364,391▲3.7% | $120,648,498▲2.5% | 990 |
| 2013 | $53,787,311 | $49,418,016▲7.8% | $82,322,044▲13.9% | $117,661,088▲18.2% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $45,824,234▲5.7% | $72,283,435▲10.1% | $99,515,706▲15.7% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $43,368,776▼0.1% | $65,638,013▲1.1% | $85,993,495▲1.0% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $43,406,487▲5.9% | $64,936,771▲13.5% | $85,141,061▲9.4% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $40,970,892 | $57,206,924 | $77,856,607 | 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: Dr David Barnett — $604,925 (0.83% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr David Barnett | President | 40 | $604,925 |
| Jody Wall | Chief of Staff | 40 | $244,368 |
| Jack Matthew Thomas | Vp For External Relations | 40 | $231,531 |
| Jim Eck | Vpaa & Provost | 40 | $226,520 |
| Julie Beth Keena | Chair, Physician Assistant Studies | 40 | $196,357 |
| Toby Hinton | Vp of Finance and Administ | 40 | $192,625 |
| Heather Ross | Chair of Pt | 40 | $179,360 |
| Troy Heidesch | Director, School of Nursin | 40 | $167,010 |
| Kathleen Foley | Director, School of Ot | 40 | $163,399 |
| Dr Gale H Starich | Dean, College of Health Sc | 40 | $155,646 |
| Amelia Collins | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Anna A Jacobs | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Carole Ann Carter Daniel | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Emilie Henderson Howard | Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| Emily Dunlap Lawson | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Frank K Norton Jr | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Gail A Smith | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Hart Wilheit Payne | Trustee | 1 | — |
| John A Addison Jr | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Maria Ebrahimji | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Risepoint LLC | Advertising/recruiting | $7,039,548 |
| Aramark Facility Services | Facility Maintenance & Custodial Service | $5,372,305 |
| Aramark Services Inc | Food Service Vendor | $2,191,242 |
| Optima Properties LLC | Leasing Services | $691,230 |
| Barnes & Nobles Store #580 | Campus Bookstore | $538,663 |
16 grants to Brenau University Inc totaling $2.2M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Inc | For general and nursing scholarships. | 2024 | $414,000 |
| United States Tennis Association Inc | Facility assistance program grant | 2024 | $9,000 |
| Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Inc | For general scholarship support. | 2023 | $414,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2023 | $87,000 |
| Northeast Georgia Health System Inc | Donation expense | 2023 | $10,500 |
| Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Inc | For general scholarship support. | 2022 | $387,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2022 | $62,000 |
| Jewish Community Federation of S F Marin Peninsula & Sonoma Counties | Education | 2022 | $14,000 |
| National Christian Charitable Foundation | Growth | 2022 | $6,817 |
| National Christian Charitable Foundation | Growth | 2022 | $6,817 |
| Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Inc | For general scholarship support. | 2021 | $355,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2021 | $13,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2021 | $13,000 |
| Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Inc | For general scholarship support. | 2020 | $355,000 |
| Truth Initiative Foundation | Community college & hbcu initiative grants | 2019 | $14,470 |
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Data for Brenau University Inc (EIN 58-0566143) 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.