Furman University is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Greenville, South Carolina, registered in 1937, with $288,883,583 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 89% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2023)
$288.9M
▲ 29.4% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2023)
$270.1M
Net assets
$1.1B
Employees
2,444
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 Furman University: 89% to programs · $13 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 Furman University: 50 mo reserves · +6% 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 Furman 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 Furman University: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Furman university is an institution of higher education providing distinctive undergraduate education emphasizing an engaged approach combining classroom learning with real world experiences and self-discovery.
Student services includes intercollegiate athletics, intramural and club sports, enrollment management, student government and a large variety of student organizations, services and activities.
The university conducted auxiliary enterprises for the convenience of students, faculty, staff and the at-large community. these auxiliary enterprises include student housing, dining services, golf course, sports arena and conference center.
Revenue grew from $234.6M (FY2013) to $288.9M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
6.5%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$1.4B
Total liabilities
$269.3M
Net assets
$1.1B
Salaries & benefits
$92.8M
34% of expenses
Board members
31
31 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $288,883,583▲29.4% | $270,132,887▲5.5% | $1,130,347,998▲3.3% | $1,399,667,880▲9.3% | 990 |
| 2022 | $223,194,398▼11.9% | $256,073,141▲6.9% | $1,093,923,783▼4.0% | $1,280,396,314▼3.6% | 990 |
| 2021 | $253,351,985▼16.5% | $239,545,718▲12.1% | $1,139,976,143▼2.8% | $1,328,407,958▲2.8% | 990 |
| 2020 | $303,593,837▲45.9% | $213,669,090▼8.3% | $1,173,052,884▲26.0% | $1,291,963,279▲23.1% | 990 |
| 2019 | $208,077,263▼11.2% | $233,094,116▼1.9% | $931,157,509▼3.6% | $1,049,847,532▼3.9% | 990 |
| 2018 | $234,337,015▼0.3% | $237,513,970▲3.0% | $965,851,854▼1.3% | $1,092,540,721▼2.2% | 990 |
| 2017 | $235,043,792▼0.5% | $230,519,501▲4.2% | $978,692,745▲3.5% | $1,117,274,760▲1.9% | 990 |
| 2016 | $236,262,974▼3.5% | $221,185,222▲5.3% | $945,846,347▲5.7% | $1,096,264,568▲4.4% | 990 |
| 2015 | $244,891,433▲5.7% | $209,953,696▲5.7% | $894,605,895▲1.6% | $1,049,724,992▲4.0% | 990 |
| 2014 | $231,589,958▼1.3% | $198,719,469▲2.4% | $880,219,981▼0.8% | $1,009,063,027▼0.6% | 990 |
| 2013 | $234,633,801 | $193,976,803▲4.8% | $886,892,292▲8.8% | $1,015,631,621▲6.6% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $185,180,548▲2.4% | $815,450,551▲7.2% | $952,421,160▲5.9% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $180,858,815▲5.3% | $760,345,279▼0.8% | $899,154,155▼0.7% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $171,791,516▲5.9% | $766,275,143▲12.0% | $905,096,947▲9.6% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $162,238,617 | $684,076,273 | $825,808,332 | 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: Robert Richey — $645,722 (0.24% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Richey | Men's Head Basketball Coach | 40 | $645,722 |
| Dr Elizabeth Davis | President | 40 | $622,355 |
| Susan Maddux | Vp For Finance & Administration | 40 | $406,909 |
| Clayton Hendrix | Head Football Coach | 40 | $321,204 |
| Jason Donnelly | Vp For Intercollegiate Athletics | 40 | $304,486 |
| Thomas E Evelyn II | Vp For University Communications | 40 | $297,040 |
| Robert Kenney | Chief Investment Officer | 40 | $292,226 |
| Connie L Carson | Vp For Student Life | 40 | $266,141 |
| Beth Pontari | Academic Affairs & Provost | 40 | $265,647 |
| Heidi Mccrory | Vp For Development | 40 | $263,745 |
| Danny Tang | Chief Information Officer | 40 | $232,953 |
| George Shields | Professor of Chemistry | 40 | $206,657 |
| Jeremy Cass | Dean of Faculty | 40 | $204,318 |
| Don Gordon | Riley Institute Founding Director | 40 | $191,940 |
| Meredith Green | General Counsel | 40 | $191,151 |
| Elizabeth Seman | Chief of Staff | 40 | $184,222 |
| Jeff Redderson | Associate Vp For Facilities | 40 | $177,222 |
| Emily Schuck | Vp of Enrollment Management | 40 | $139,585 |
| A Alexander Taylor II | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Anthony Wilton Mcdade | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Triangle Construction Co | Construction | $17,186,499 |
| The Harper Corporation | Construction | $11,992,836 |
| Compass Group USA Inc | Dining Services | $10,549,310 |
| Betsch Associates Inc | Architects | $1,375,352 |
| Jd Lane Construction LLC | Construction | $884,358 |
217 grants to Furman University totaling $33.0M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
9 grants totaling $268K in FY2023. All grants made by Furman University →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville Arena District | Sponsorship | $75,000 |
| Upcountry History Museum | Operating support | $75,000 |
| The Greenville Drive LLC | Sponsorship | $60,000 |
| Empire Mock Trial Association Inc | Sponsorship | $15,000 |
| Venturesouth Capital LLC | Sponsorship | $10,000 |
| Greenville Arts Festival | Sponsorship | $10,000 |
| Our Upstate-sc | Sponsorship | $10,000 |
| Fall For Greenville Inc | Sponsorship | $7,500 |
| Upstate South Carolina Alliance Inc | Sponsorship | $5,500 |
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Data for Furman University (EIN 57-0314395) 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.