Buena Vista University
86% goes to programs $29 to raise $100 Strong reserves Growing revenue
Buena Vista University is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Storm Lake, Iowa, registered in 1939, with $60,290,934 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it B+, and it directs about 86% of spending to programs.
610 W 4th St, Storm Lake, IA, 50588 EIN 42-0680404 Since 1939
Revenue (FY2023)
$60.3M
▲ 8.7% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2023)
$64.2M
Net assets
$202.1M
Employees
1,042
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
B+
BProgram efficiency40% of the rating86% to programs · $29 to raise $100
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 Buena Vista University: 86% to programs · $29 to raise $100 earns a B on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
B+Financial health25% of the rating38 mo reserves · -7% margin
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 Buena Vista University: 38 mo reserves · -7% margin earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Governance25% of the rating6 of 6 checks met
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 Buena Vista University: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Transparency10% of the rating5 of 5 disclosure signals
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 Buena Vista University: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
We prepare students for lifelong success through transformational educational experiences.
What they do
Student services, admissions, registrars, athletics, career development, student health, and other services for approximately 685 campus living students.
Auxiliary enterprises, dormitories, dining hall, forum and conference center for approximately 685 campus living students.
Contact & location
- Address
- 610 W 4th St, Storm Lake, IA, 50588
- City
- Storm Lake
- State
- Iowa
- Category
- Education
- Subcategory
- Colleges & Universities
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue declined from $66.9M (FY2013) to $60.3M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2023)
Liabilities $47.6MNet assets $202.1M
Operating margin
-6.5%
Spent more than it raised in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$249.7M
Total liabilities
$47.6M
Net assets
$202.1M
Salaries & benefits
$22.1M
34% of expenses
Board members
19
18 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $60,290,934▲8.7% | $64,228,860▲4.2% | $202,149,318▲4.5% | $249,714,684▲2.6% | 990 |
| 2022 | $55,457,948▼0.4% | $61,654,616▲1.9% | $193,382,852 | $243,292,340▲9.1% | 990 |
| 2021 | $55,707,605▲10.7% | $60,507,699▲12.1% | $193,347,114▼5.7% | $222,941,259▼5.0% | 990 |
| 2020 | $50,337,597▲1.0% | $53,967,506▼5.8% | $204,976,554▲19.9% | $234,685,223▲14.6% | 990 |
| 2019 | $49,849,887▲1.8% | $57,274,951▲2.2% | $170,985,083▼2.1% | $204,820,451▼0.5% | 990 |
| 2018 | $48,958,176▼18.5% | $56,024,883▼3.6% | $174,736,010▲0.3% | $205,888,839▲0.1% | 990 |
| 2017 | $60,049,969▲1.4% | $58,122,997▼1.7% | $174,204,828▲4.7% | $205,637,131▲3.8% | 990 |
| 2016 | $59,192,428▲8.5% | $59,156,248▲1.0% | $166,309,393▲4.5% | $198,101,261▲3.5% | 990 |
| 2015 | $54,538,692▲0.4% | $58,574,618 | $159,126,517▼4.5% | $191,357,185▼5.0% | 990 |
| 2014 | $54,313,843▼18.9% | $58,547,454▼2.4% | $166,711,062▼2.5% | $201,357,315▼3.0% | 990 |
| 2013 | $66,944,193 | $59,959,843▲1.4% | $170,962,444▲8.3% | $207,497,147▲5.8% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $59,148,889▲0.7% | $157,899,644▲6.4% | $196,146,818▲3.9% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $58,709,225▲1.9% | $148,399,912▼5.1% | $188,851,609▼7.3% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $57,586,871▲7.7% | $156,424,870▲17.4% | $203,795,996▲24.7% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $53,463,170 | $133,197,948 | $163,442,229 | 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.
Leadership & compensation (FY2023)
Highest-paid: Brian Lenzmeier — $318,614 (0.50% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Lenzmeier | President | 40 | $318,614 |
| Brandon Johnson | Vp, Enrollment Management | 40 | $195,042 |
| Joan Canty | Vp, University Development | 40 | $190,446 |
| Suzette Radke | Vp, Finance and Administration | 40 | $169,512 |
| Heidi Manning | Provost/vp Academic Affairs | 40 | $167,230 |
| Jean Bral | Vp, Ext. University Programs | 40 | $148,505 |
| Lisa Best | Dean, School of Business | 40 | $139,709 |
| Joseph Mclain | Chief Information Officer | 40 | $124,758 |
| Dixee Bartholomew-feis | Dean, School of Liberal Arts | 40 | $118,246 |
| Jennifer Hecht | Associate Professor Or Accounting | 40 | $118,030 |
| Beth Blankers | Professor of Accounting | 40 | $115,659 |
| Jamii Claiborne | Vp, Student Affairs | 40 | $102,790 |
| Heather Black | Vp, Student Success | 40 | $94,500 |
| Amy Friedrich | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Becki Drahota | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Brad Schroeder | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Dan Phillips | Trustee | 1 | — |
| David Dvergsten | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Doug Clausen | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Heath Bartness | Trustee | 1 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2023)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Sodexo & Affiliates | Food Service | $2,777,076 |
| Dci Group | Construction | $1,740,639 |
| Sb&a | Architect | $1,188,083 |
| Eab Global Inc | Educational Services | $545,552 |
| Cambridge Associates | Investment Management | $447,468 |
Grants received · $809K total
51 grants to Buena Vista University totaling $809K, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines | Grant distribution | 2024 | $46,844 |
| Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines | 5000 to athletics campaign, 10,000 to president's discretion, 15,000 to general/annual fund | 2024 | $30,000 |
| Greater Kansas City Community Foundation | Education | 2024 | $20,000 |
| Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc | Sustaining support | 2024 | $18,017 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $5,076 |
| Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines | Grant distribution | 2023 | $42,270 |
| Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc | Sustaining support for rev. hugh john may and ms. eva elisabeth may | 2023 | $14,845 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2023 | $13,636 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Education | 2023 | $9,868 |
| Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines | Grant distribution | 2022 | $51,037 |
| Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc | Sustaining support | 2022 | $13,858 |
| The Blackbaud Giving Fund | General support | 2022 | $13,742 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Education | 2022 | $11,300 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2022 | $6,000 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2022 | $5,094 |
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Compare Buena Vista University
Frequently asked questions
- Is Buena Vista University a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Buena Vista University is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 42-0680404, based in Storm Lake, Iowa. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Buena Vista University's EIN?
- Buena Vista University's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 42-0680404.
- How much revenue does Buena Vista University report?
- Buena Vista University reported $60,290,934 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2023 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Buena Vista University's spending goes to programs?
- Buena Vista University spends about 86% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Buena Vista University have?
- CharityIndex grades Buena Vista University B+, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Buena Vista University's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Buena Vista University's latest Form 990 is $318,614, paid to Brian Lenzmeier (President).
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Data for Buena Vista University (EIN 42-0680404) 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.