California Baptist University is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Riverside, California, registered in 1969, with $456,762,325 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 87% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2023)
$456.8M
▲ 3.9% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2023)
$445.2M
Net assets
$314.3M
Employees
4,236
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 California Baptist University: 87% 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 California Baptist University: 8 mo reserves · +3% 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 California Baptist 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 California Baptist University: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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A private institution of higher education, offering students undergraduate and graduate courses.
Cbu offers a multitude of scholarship and grant opportunities to make the cost of attendance more affordable. this includes institutional and private scholarships, from funds with and without donor restrictions, in the form of grants that may be based on merit, performance, need, or some other specific criteria.
Cbu seeks to aid the student body with emotional and physical well-being and provides intellectual, cultural, and social development outside the context of the formal instruction program. student services include admissions, career guidance, counseling, cultural events, disability services, intercollegiate athletics, new student programs, recreation sports, safety services, spiritual life, student activities, student aid administration, student health service, student leadership and student organizations.
In addition to quality instruction and student services, cbu provides facilities and activities to further promote the educational experience of students at the university. this includes food services, housing for students, faculty and staff, the campus and team stores, conferencesand events, and tahquitz pines camp.
Revenue grew from $227.1M (FY2013) to $456.8M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
2.5%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$738.7M
Total liabilities
$424.4M
Net assets
$314.3M
Salaries & benefits
$152.9M
34% of expenses
Board members
35
35 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $456,762,325▲3.9% | $445,194,447▲3.8% | $314,268,785▲7.6% | $738,691,420▲7.3% | 990 |
| 2022 | $439,711,685▼3.3% | $428,916,970▲4.6% | $292,048,545▲7.2% | $688,267,246▲11.1% | 990 |
| 2021 | $454,581,726▲13.6% | $410,142,499▲10.1% | $272,530,852▲9.2% | $619,397,515▲2.8% | 990 |
| 2020 | $400,113,733▲3.0% | $372,447,211▲1.4% | $249,597,140▲17.7% | $602,706,322▲3.4% | 990 |
| 2019 | $388,271,468▲7.7% | $367,196,648▲7.7% | $211,992,957▲11.7% | $582,918,110▲4.2% | 990 |
| 2018 | $360,423,634▲12.8% | $340,850,459▲7.4% | $189,709,446▲6.3% | $559,574,121▲7.5% | 990 |
| 2017 | $319,425,348▲10.3% | $317,336,295▲18.1% | $178,481,165▲1.8% | $520,514,123▼0.3% | 990 |
| 2016 | $289,670,717▲5.4% | $268,722,740▲8.9% | $175,372,269▲14.5% | $521,825,372▲24.7% | 990 |
| 2015 | $274,946,070▲10.2% | $246,697,423▲7.5% | $153,102,709▲21.8% | $418,537,766▲29.4% | 990 |
| 2014 | $249,390,935▲9.8% | $229,550,386▲15.4% | $125,711,309▲17.8% | $323,375,433▲6.1% | 990 |
| 2013 | $227,125,010 | $199,002,137▲13.9% | $106,732,070▲38.5% | $304,832,364▲31.8% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $174,656,607▲14.8% | $77,036,167▲30.8% | $231,220,960▲3.1% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $152,109,995▲17.5% | $58,896,151▲22.7% | $224,187,446▲1.0% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $129,447,500▲20.1% | $48,008,198▲45.2% | $221,970,397▲40.6% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $107,795,312 | $33,062,488 | $157,886,553 | 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 Ronald Ellis — $1,788,009 (0.40% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Ronald Ellis | President | 40 | $1,788,009 |
| Richard K Croy | Head Basketball Coach | 40 | $669,133 |
| Mark Howe | Vp For Finance & Admin | 40 | $501,021 |
| Lowell Dacus | Vp For Enrollment | 40 | $464,567 |
| Jarrod Olson | Head Womens Basketball Coach | 40 | $450,657 |
| Dr Charles Sands IV | Provost/vp Academic Affairs | 40 | $407,258 |
| Paul Eldridge | Vp of University Advancement | 40 | $367,790 |
| Anne Yip | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Anthony Dockery | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Bart Shifter | Secretary | 1 | — |
| Brenda Salas-freeman | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Brian Chelette | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Daniel Bishop | Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| Dave Condon | Trustee | 1 | — |
| David Gill | Trustee | 1 | — |
| David Kennedy | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Dawn Dwyer | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Erica Ward | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Eydie Miskel | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Gary Vick | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Encore One LLC | Janitorial Services | $2,905,209 |
| Enstal Technologies | Technology Mgmt | $785,113 |
| Insight Investment Holdings | Data Center Solutions | $731,412 |
| Cloud Control Media LLC | Digital Marketing | $672,882 |
| Ascend Learning Holdings LLC | Testing Services | $412,983 |
86 grants to California Baptist University totaling $5.1M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Foundation Hospitals | Expanding mental health workforce diversity and ac | 2024 | $449,972 |
| National Christian Charitable Foundation | Colleges and universities | 2024 | $160,900 |
| The Us Charitable Gift Trust | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2024 | $86,123 |
| Inland Empire Community Foundation | Scholarship | 2024 | $43,823 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $27,801 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $19,602 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Educational | 2024 | $15,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $9,750 |
| Giveclear Foundation | Program support | 2024 | $6,800 |
| National Christian Charitable Foundation | Growth | 2023 | $105,820 |
| The Us Charitable Gift Trust | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2023 | $70,248 |
| Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2023 | $50,000 |
| Inland Empire Community Foundation | Scholarship | 2023 | $46,695 |
| Tulsa Community Foundation | Scholarships | 2023 | $34,797 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Education | 2023 | $26,125 |
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Data for California Baptist University (EIN 95-1890710) 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.