Fairfield University
82% goes to programs $23 to raise $100 Strong reserves Growing revenue
Fairfield University is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Fairfield, Connecticut, registered in 1943, with $489,308,458 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 82% of spending to programs.
1073 N Benson Rd, Fairfield, CT, 06824 EIN 06-0646623 Since 1943
Revenue (FY2023)
$489.3M
▲ 15.3% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2023)
$432.4M
Net assets
$851.3M
Employees
3,821
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 rating82% to programs · $23 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 Fairfield University: 82% to programs · $23 to raise $100 earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating24 mo reserves · +12% 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 Fairfield University: 24 mo reserves · +12% 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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield University: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Show this grade on your website
A live seal — it updates automatically when the grade changes and links donors to this verified profile.
Mission
Fairfield's mission is to develop the creative intellectual potential of its students and to foster in them ethical and religious values and a sense of social responsibility.
What they do
Auxiliary services: auxiliary services include the costs of room and board for approximately 3,743 full-time undergraduate students living on campus in residence halls, townhouses, and apartment complexes residing on a 200 acre campus. graduate student housing is also offered in independent off-campus houses, and in apartment style residence halls.
Other activities: a variety of student services including arts and entertainment at the quick center, student activities for club sports, and other items.
Contact & location
- Address
- 1073 N Benson Rd, Fairfield, CT, 06824
- City
- Fairfield
- State
- Connecticut
- Category
- Education
- Subcategory
- Colleges & Universities
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $282.3M (FY2013) to $489.3M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2023)
Liabilities $358.4MNet assets $851.3M
Operating margin
11.6%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$1.2B
Total liabilities
$358.4M
Net assets
$851.3M
Salaries & benefits
$176.2M
41% of expenses
Board members
31
30 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $489,308,458▲15.3% | $432,418,916▲12.4% | $851,257,552▲9.5% | $1,209,670,431▲5.6% | 990 |
| 2022 | $424,528,036▲2.1% | $384,746,576▲8.6% | $777,716,673▲7.5% | $1,146,008,194▲4.7% | 990 |
| 2021 | $415,893,981▲21.7% | $354,416,581▲7.6% | $723,738,920▼1.7% | $1,095,002,497▲1.9% | 990 |
| 2020 | $341,786,596▼5.5% | $329,252,732▲4.1% | $736,297,656▲18.9% | $1,075,022,921▲14.2% | 990 |
| 2019 | $361,744,489▼4.4% | $316,245,749▲1.7% | $619,076,584▲0.9% | $941,659,821▼0.9% | 990 |
| 2018 | $378,413,525▲24.5% | $310,876,943▲2.5% | $613,781,283▲4.2% | $950,209,678▲2.2% | 990 |
| 2017 | $304,017,992▼11.1% | $303,186,987▲9.7% | $589,226,985▲1.8% | $929,863,545▲5.5% | 990 |
| 2016 | $342,077,016▲15.5% | $276,397,506▲3.4% | $578,647,484▲19.6% | $881,246,458▲12.2% | 990 |
| 2015 | $296,191,157▲2.0% | $267,185,278▲3.2% | $483,754,036▲3.2% | $785,505,294▲9.7% | 990 |
| 2014 | $290,387,552▲2.9% | $258,830,469▲3.8% | $468,842,406▲5.1% | $716,196,075▲1.9% | 990 |
| 2013 | $282,265,235 | $249,412,416▲5.0% | $445,903,285▲14.5% | $702,865,090▲8.9% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $237,487,394▲0.8% | $389,374,734▲11.4% | $645,239,650▲5.2% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $235,652,594▲5.0% | $349,611,321▼0.2% | $613,431,750▼1.2% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $224,410,736▲4.4% | $350,145,672▲14.4% | $620,946,775▲6.6% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $214,883,155 | $306,059,966 | $582,453,551 | 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: John Young — $1,061,638 (0.25% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Young | Head Mbb Coach (end 10-16-2023) | 45 | $1,061,638 |
| Mark R Nemec Phd | President | 45 | $825,357 |
| Christine Siegel | Provost & Sr Vp Academics | 45 | $508,514 |
| Zhan Li | Dean, School of Business | 45 | $462,668 |
| Laurie Mccarthy | Dean, School of Edu and Human Development (end 5-31-2023) | 45 | $459,504 |
| Joanne Williams | Sr Vp For Finance & Admin | 45 | $457,186 |
| Walter Halas | Vp of Advancement | 45 | $414,525 |
| Paul Schlickmann | Vp of Athletics | 45 | $378,940 |
| Michael Trafecante | Vp For Finance, Cfo & Treasurer | 45 | $363,130 |
| David Frassinelli | Vp of Facilities, Campus & Auxiliary Services | 45 | $289,294 |
| Richard Greenwald | Dean, School of Cas | 45 | $284,468 |
| Kristine Carroll | Secretary | 45 | $76,248 |
| Andrew J Mcmahon | Trustee (as of 7-1-2023) | 5 | — |
| Brian P Hull | Trustee | 5 | — |
| Christopher C Desmarais | Trustee | 5 | — |
| Christopher C Quick | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Clinton A Lewis Jr | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Dagan T Kasavana | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Douglas W Hammond | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Elner L Morrell | Trustee | 1 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2023)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Aramark Services Inc | Dining Services | $19,848,271 |
| Gilbane Building Services | Construction | $14,703,006 |
| Consigli Construction Co Inc | Construction | $13,076,141 |
| Whiting Turner Contracting Co | Construction | $7,789,223 |
| Abm Industry Group LLC | Janitorial | $4,793,849 |
Grants received · $28.7M total
173 grants to Fairfield University totaling $28.7M, 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 | $349,500 |
| Greater Cincinnati Foundation | Programatic support | 2024 | $200,000 |
| Greater Cincinnati Foundation | Programatic support | 2024 | $200,000 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Educational | 2024 | $195,100 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $90,358 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Education | 2024 | $67,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $47,000 |
| Ayco Charitable Foundation | Education | 2024 | $30,700 |
| The New York Community Trust | For a scholarship award. | 2024 | $27,000 |
| Daffy Charitable Fund | General support of mission | 2024 | $26,300 |
| Catholic Community Foundation of Los Angeles | Tuition assistance | 2024 | $25,000 |
| Wheeler Clinic Inc | The sor mini-grant is used for campus opioid and stimulant education and awareness programs. | 2024 | $20,000 |
| Bny Mellon Charitable Gift Fund | To further the organization's exempt purpose | 2024 | $16,000 |
| The New York Community Trust | For program support. | 2024 | $10,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $10,000 |
Similar organizations in Education
Education
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT
$449.0M
Aannual revenue
Education
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT
$540.0M
Aannual revenue
Education
Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT
$595.3M
Aannual revenue
Education
University of New Haven
West Haven, CT
$379.7M
Aannual revenue
Education
University of Hartford
West Hartford, CT
$287.5M
B+annual revenue
Education
Trinity College
Hartford, CT
$272.9M
Aannual revenue
Education
Connecticut College
New London, CT
$191.8M
B+annual revenue
Education
Achievement First Brooklyn Charter Schools
New Haven, CT
$190.4M
Aannual revenue
Education
Area Cooperative Educational Services
New Haven, CT
$176.8M
Aannual revenue
Education
University of Connecticut Foundation Incorporated
Storrs, CT
$139.3M
Bannual revenue
Compare Fairfield University
Frequently asked questions
- Is Fairfield University a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Fairfield University is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 06-0646623, based in Fairfield, Connecticut. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Fairfield University's EIN?
- Fairfield University's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 06-0646623.
- How much revenue does Fairfield University report?
- Fairfield University reported $489,308,458 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2023 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Fairfield University's spending goes to programs?
- Fairfield University spends about 82% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Fairfield University have?
- CharityIndex grades Fairfield University A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Fairfield University's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Fairfield University's latest Form 990 is $1,061,638, paid to John Young (Head Mbb Coach (end 10-16-2023)).
More nonprofits in Fairfield
Explore more
Data for Fairfield University (EIN 06-0646623) 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.