Clemson University Foundation
75% goes to programs $14 to raise $100 Strong reserves Declining revenue
Clemson University Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Clemson, South Carolina, registered in 1968, with $75,284,806 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 75% of spending to programs.
Po Box 1889, Clemson, SC, 29633 EIN 57-0426335 Since 1968
Revenue (FY2023)
$75.3M
▲ 0.3% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2023)
$58.9M
Net assets
$1.0B
Employees
28
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A
B+Program efficiency40% of the rating75% to programs · $14 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 Clemson University Foundation: 75% to programs · $14 to raise $100 earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
B+Financial health25% of the rating207 mo reserves · +22% 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 Clemson University Foundation: 207 mo reserves · +22% 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 Clemson University Foundation: 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 Clemson University Foundation: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
The clemson university foundation is organized to promote the welfare and future development of clemson university in its educational and scientific purposes; to seek and receive gifts or public funds for the benefit of clemson university through endowment giving, fund-raising, or other programs; and to manage prudently such funds and the disbursement of such with a policy that encourages the enhancement of resources.
What they do
Capital projects: funding provided in support of the educational, research, and public service mission of clemson university through fundraising efforts for physical plant needs. this includes funding in support of prioritized capital projects and expenditures including renovation of existing facilities, construction of new facilities, and large dollar equipment expenditures related to research and academic programming. the sources for funding for these capital expenditures is through donor giving.
Contact & location
- Address
- Po Box 1889, Clemson, SC, 29633
- City
- Clemson
- State
- South Carolina
- Category
- Education
- Subcategory
- Support Foundations & Fundraising
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $64.0M (FY2013) to $75.3M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2023)
Liabilities $395.8MNet assets $1.0B
Operating margin
21.8%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$1.4B
Total liabilities
$395.8M
Net assets
$1.0B
Salaries & benefits
$3.7M
6% of expenses
Board members
22
22 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $75,284,806▲0.3% | $58,851,751▲25.1% | $1,016,547,253▲9.8% | $1,412,386,703▲8.0% | 990 |
| 2022 | $75,039,646▼6.5% | $47,057,942▲14.3% | $925,616,043▲6.5% | $1,308,176,142▲7.3% | 990 |
| 2021 | $80,225,172▼28.7% | $41,167,949▲18.6% | $868,892,260▼1.8% | $1,218,679,731▼1.8% | 990 |
| 2020 | $112,486,660▲72.6% | $34,717,393▼15.1% | $884,926,335▲36.2% | $1,240,950,463▲31.4% | 990 |
| 2019 | $65,187,016▲13.5% | $40,908,186▼5.5% | $649,951,846▲2.9% | $944,348,237▲2.3% | 990 |
| 2018 | $57,417,359▲5.5% | $43,276,191▼21.2% | $631,329,821▲5.8% | $923,248,232▲5.0% | 990 |
| 2017 | $54,416,297▲11.6% | $54,897,910▲35.7% | $596,942,539▲5.8% | $879,046,109▲6.5% | 990 |
| 2016 | $48,750,155▼21.4% | $40,467,069▼29.1% | $564,320,088▲10.5% | $825,035,700▲10.9% | 990 |
| 2015 | $62,004,038▲7.1% | $57,067,257▲31.7% | $510,483,091▼1.6% | $743,779,194▼0.5% | 990 |
| 2014 | $57,881,612▼9.6% | $43,330,905▲11.3% | $518,605,215▲3.2% | $747,372,726▲8.8% | 990 |
| 2013 | $64,049,296 | $38,946,067▲3.7% | $502,283,241▲17.5% | $686,741,384▲16.8% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $37,567,316▲36.5% | $427,479,227▲10.4% | $587,817,884▲10.5% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $27,516,941▲11.1% | $387,168,477▲4.2% | $532,064,140▲2.6% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $24,774,452▼7.1% | $371,570,285▲22.4% | $518,622,697▲24.5% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $26,662,071 | $303,670,225 | $416,414,513 | 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: James Clements — $755,931 (1.28% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Clements | Clemson University President | 10 | $755,931 |
| M Karen Mccauley | President & Ceo | 32.5 | $350,802 |
| April Purvis | Secretary To 11/2023 | 35.5 | $226,572 |
| John C Alexander | Cio | 7.5 | $183,484 |
| Regina Steele | Treasurer & Cfo | 33.5 | $180,678 |
| Laura Mooney | Secretary From 11/2023 | 37.5 | $57,316 |
| Allissa East | Director | 1 | — |
| Anita Hargett | Director | 1 | — |
| Anthony L Mathis | Chair | 3 | — |
| Aubrey Harrell | Director | 2 | — |
| Billy Milam | Director | 1 | — |
| Carols Hill | Director | 1 | — |
| Cheri M Phyfer | Director | 1 | — |
| Cheryl Holland | Vice-chair | 2 | — |
| David L Morrow | Director | 1 | — |
| Emily P Wallace | Director | 1 | — |
| Ernest D Haynes III | Director | 2 | — |
| Jeffrey Brown | Director | 1 | — |
| Jim Hendrix | Director | 2 | — |
| Johan Eveland | Director | 1 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2023)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Aramark Educational Services LLC | Catering/food Service | $1,472,922 |
| Cambridge Associates LLC | Investment | $1,151,515 |
| Jack Porter Inc | Construction Services | $408,796 |
| Aetos Alternatives Mgmt LP | Investment | $341,033 |
| Smg - DBA Greenville Convention Center | Event Venue | $271,204 |
Grants received · $47.1M total
232 grants to Clemson University Foundation totaling $47.1M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $2,102,714 |
| Foundation For the Carolinas | Charitable gift | 2024 | $614,563 |
| National Christian Charitable Foundation | Colleges and universities | 2024 | $443,500 |
| Greater Horizons | Education | 2024 | $339,164 |
| T Rowe Price Program For Charitable Giving Inc | Multiple | 2024 | $306,000 |
| The Community Foundation For Greater Atlanta Inc | Education | 2024 | $175,000 |
| Ayco Charitable Foundation | Education | 2024 | $147,050 |
| Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Inc | For nursing scholarships. | 2024 | $137,000 |
| Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund | General support | 2024 | $135,784 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $135,637 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Educational | 2024 | $91,050 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Education | 2024 | $58,800 |
| The Us Charitable Gift Trust | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2024 | $45,250 |
| Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Inc | General operational support | 2024 | $22,500 |
| Anmed Health | Men of color sponsorship | 2024 | $11,000 |
Grants made · $36.7M in FY2023
2 grants totaling $36.7M in FY2023. All grants made by Clemson University Foundation →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Clemson University | To promote the welfare and future development of clemson university through programmatic and scholarship support | $34,130,126 |
| Clemson University Continuing Educ and Conference Complex Corporation | Project expenses | $2,587,705 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Clemson University Foundation a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Clemson University Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 57-0426335, based in Clemson, South Carolina. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Clemson University Foundation's EIN?
- Clemson University Foundation's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 57-0426335.
- How much revenue does Clemson University Foundation report?
- Clemson University Foundation reported $75,284,806 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2023 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Clemson University Foundation's spending goes to programs?
- Clemson University Foundation spends about 75% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Clemson University Foundation have?
- CharityIndex grades Clemson University Foundation A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Clemson University Foundation's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Clemson University Foundation's latest Form 990 is $755,931, paid to James Clements (Clemson University President).
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Data for Clemson University Foundation (EIN 57-0426335) 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.