Butler University
85% goes to programs $8 to raise $100 Strong reserves
Butler University is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Indianapolis, Indiana, registered in 1938, with $365,379,403 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 85% of spending to programs.
4600 Sunset Ave, Indianapolis, IN, 46208 EIN 35-0867977 Since 1938
Revenue (FY2024)
$365.4M
▲ 13.9% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2024)
$356.7M
Net assets
$565.4M
Employees
3,749
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A
AProgram efficiency40% of the rating85% to programs · $8 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 Butler University: 85% to programs · $8 to raise $100 earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating19 mo reserves · +2% 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 Butler University: 19 mo reserves · +2% margin earns a A 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 Butler University: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
ATransparency10% of the rating4 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 Butler University: 4 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
To provide the highest quality liberal and professional education and to integrate the two by creating a stimulating intellectual community.
Contact & location
- Address
- 4600 Sunset Ave, Indianapolis, IN, 46208
- City
- Indianapolis
- State
- Indiana
- Category
- Education
- Subcategory
- Colleges & Universities
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $223.9M (FY2013) to $365.4M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2024)
Liabilities $226.9MNet assets $565.4M
Operating margin
2.4%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$792.3M
Total liabilities
$226.9M
Net assets
$565.4M
Salaries & benefits
$141.2M
40% of expenses
Board members
31
29 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $365,379,403▲13.9% | $356,661,781▲6.1% | $565,383,915▲7.1% | $792,307,471▲4.8% | 990 |
| 2023 | $320,717,458▲10.4% | $336,135,762▲6.5% | $528,036,900▲5.1% | $756,218,829▲1.3% | 990 |
| 2022 | $290,631,334▼18.3% | $315,766,024▲6.7% | $502,260,132▼2.1% | $746,589,667▼3.2% | 990 |
| 2021 | $355,703,084▲16.6% | $295,848,004▲10.6% | $513,114,374▼3.3% | $771,199,903 | 990 |
| 2020 | $304,986,997▲11.2% | $267,471,001▼1.2% | $530,424,242▲23.5% | $771,058,130▲13.4% | 990 |
| 2019 | $274,375,552▼7.0% | $270,837,632▲0.5% | $429,631,110▲1.7% | $679,970,876▲7.2% | 990 |
| 2018 | $295,152,634▲6.8% | $269,482,320▲9.0% | $422,326,817▲2.4% | $634,268,827▲0.9% | 990 |
| 2017 | $276,446,430▲5.0% | $247,249,683▲2.9% | $412,382,633▲9.4% | $628,918,305▲17.3% | 990 |
| 2016 | $263,254,297▲5.3% | $240,217,938▲7.5% | $376,808,709▲11.3% | $536,166,433▲8.0% | 990 |
| 2015 | $250,015,880▲6.8% | $223,372,255▲4.3% | $338,681,394▲2.8% | $496,636,935▲0.7% | 990 |
| 2014 | $234,028,682▲4.5% | $214,234,886▲3.6% | $329,375,519▲7.8% | $493,000,492▲13.2% | 990 |
| 2013 | $223,889,271 | $206,714,880▲4.8% | $305,660,943▲9.8% | $435,565,781▲6.6% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $197,228,017▲7.0% | $278,271,694▲19.0% | $408,684,876▲12.0% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $184,309,978▲4.4% | $233,884,388▼5.9% | $364,884,292▼2.2% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $176,508,052▲5.5% | $248,600,221▲15.9% | $373,220,085▲9.6% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $167,295,444 | $214,576,823 | $340,555,560 | 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 (FY2024)
Highest-paid: Thad Matta — $2,649,530 (0.74% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thad Matta | Men's Basketball Head Coach | 50 | $2,649,530 |
| James Danko | President | 50 | $925,823 |
| Brooke Barnett | Provost/evp - Academic Affairs | 50 | $346,201 |
| Austin Parkinson | Women's Basketball Coach | 50 | $319,717 |
| Bruce Arick | Evp - Finance & Admin/coo/asst Treas. | 50 | $315,437 |
| Michael Pegues | Men's Basketball Assistant Coach | 50 | $313,285 |
| Grant Leiendecker | Vp and Athletics Director | 50 | $305,565 |
| Claire Aigotti | General Counsel/asst Secretary | 50 | $289,713 |
| Susan Westermeyer | Controller/asst Treasurer | 50 | $148,104 |
| Aaron Schamp | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Alan Finn | Evp-finance and Administration/coo (beg 3/25) | 50 | — |
| Amy Wierenga | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Andrew Greenlee | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Anthony Murdock | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Bob Wildman | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Brian Stemme | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Bryan Brenner | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Chad Pingel | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Chris Gahl | Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| Chris Miskel | Trustee | 1 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2024)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Bon Appetit Management Company | Board/catering | $11,678,502 |
| American Campus Communities | Student Housing | $11,149,142 |
| Us Bank Corporate Payment System | Card Servicer | $8,605,797 |
| Huron Consulting Group Inc | Consulting | $2,585,875 |
| Turner Construction Company | Construction | $2,125,181 |
Grants received · $66.8M total
199 grants to Butler University totaling $66.8M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Initiatives Support Corporation | See part iv | 2024 | $472,500 |
| Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc | To further the exempt purpose of the organization | 2024 | $151,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $71,073 |
| Central Indiana Community Foundation Inc | To be used at the organization's discretion | 2024 | $49,500 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $42,413 |
| Hispanic Scholarship Fund | To provide scholarships for students | 2024 | $21,088 |
| The Us Charitable Gift Trust | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2024 | $15,690 |
| Strada Education Foundation Inc | Operating grant | 2024 | $10,000 |
| Community Foundation For Southeast Michigan | Education | 2024 | $10,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $10,000 |
| National Christian Charitable Foundation | Colleges and universities | 2024 | $7,000 |
| T Rowe Price Program For Charitable Giving Inc | Multiple | 2024 | $6,000 |
| Big East Conference Inc | Funding for athletic program | 2023 | $4,816,149 |
| Marin Community Foundation | Provide support of the sciences | 2023 | $500,000 |
| National Collegiate Athletic Association | Grants/scholarships | 2023 | $368,108 |
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Compare Butler University
Frequently asked questions
- Is Butler University a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Butler University is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 35-0867977, based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Butler University's EIN?
- Butler University's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 35-0867977.
- How much revenue does Butler University report?
- Butler University reported $365,379,403 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Butler University's spending goes to programs?
- Butler University spends about 85% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Butler University have?
- CharityIndex grades Butler University A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Butler University's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Butler University's latest Form 990 is $2,649,530, paid to Thad Matta (Men's Basketball Head Coach).
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Data for Butler University (EIN 35-0867977) 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.