Lee University
501(c)(3) Donations tax-deductible
82% goes to programs $0 to raise $100 Strong reserves Declining revenue
Lee University is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Cleveland, Tennessee, registered in 1951, with $91,560,640 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 82% of spending to programs.
1120 N Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN, 37311 EIN 62-0502739 Since 1951
Revenue (FY2023)
$91.6M
▼ 5.9% vs prior year
Expenses (FY2023)
$91.4M
Net assets
$169.4M
Employees
1,970
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 rating82% to programs · $0 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 Lee University: 82% to programs · $0 to raise $100 earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating22 mo reserves · +0% 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 Lee University: 22 mo reserves · +0% 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 Lee 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 Lee University: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
Lee university is a christian institution which offers liberal arts and professional education on both the undergraduate and graduate levels through residential and distance programs. we seek to provide education that integrates biblical truth as revealed in the holy scriptures with truth discovered through the study of arts and sciences and in the practice of various professions. a personal commitment to jesus christ as savior is the controlling perspective from which our educational enterprise is carried out. the foundational purpose of all educational programs at lee is to develop within the students knowledge, appreciation, understanding, ability, and skills which will prepare them for responsible christian living in a complex world.
What they do
Academic support - provides support services to various attendees of the university, as well as, support of programs within the university. academic support includes faculty development, the library and research centers.
Student services - provides services to enrolled students including student athletics, health clinic, spiritual life programs, residential life programs, etc.
Auxiliary services - operated for the convenience of students, faculty, and staff including residence halls, dining halls, campus bookstore, and the telephone system.
Contact & location
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $89.0M (FY2013) to $91.6M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2023)
Liabilities $29.4MNet assets $169.4M
Operating margin
0.2%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$198.8M
Total liabilities
$29.4M
Net assets
$169.4M
Salaries & benefits
$35.2M
39% of expenses
Board members
24
24 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $91,560,640▼5.9% | $91,351,986▼2.3% | $169,431,206▲2.0% | $198,829,507▲0.9% | 990 |
| 2022 | $97,254,831▼10.6% | $93,462,606▼11.8% | $166,167,918▲3.3% | $196,959,701▼1.7% | 990 |
| 2021 | $108,753,431▲0.7% | $105,914,787▲4.5% | $160,791,459▼1.7% | $200,405,989▼7.9% | 990 |
| 2020 | $107,961,707▲1.8% | $101,306,371▼1.5% | $163,517,340▲7.4% | $217,646,784▲8.1% | 990 |
| 2019 | $106,104,009▼0.2% | $102,875,743▼1.6% | $152,259,220▲2.3% | $201,404,012▲9.7% | 990 |
| 2018 | $106,365,324▲4.4% | $104,498,313▲5.0% | $148,842,338▲1.5% | $183,656,123▲1.9% | 990 |
| 2017 | $101,847,920▲5.7% | $99,498,739▲8.0% | $146,602,244▲1.6% | $180,199,832▼1.0% | 990 |
| 2016 | $96,336,927▲2.8% | $92,101,282▲7.8% | $144,266,343▲3.7% | $182,091,564▲6.5% | 990 |
| 2015 | $93,742,969▲7.3% | $85,449,164▲2.2% | $139,184,317▲5.1% | $170,967,957▲4.8% | 990 |
| 2014 | $87,392,642▼1.8% | $83,599,683▲7.8% | $132,415,130▲2.6% | $163,103,080▲0.3% | 990 |
| 2013 | $89,029,043 | $77,541,849▲3.3% | $129,005,253▲10.7% | $162,664,700▲8.3% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $75,080,378▲0.4% | $116,512,144▲8.4% | $150,254,300▲6.1% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $74,800,832▲6.0% | $107,447,426▲4.3% | $141,617,944▲1.8% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $70,594,987▲8.4% | $103,023,219▲5.2% | $139,104,832▲8.0% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $65,116,165 | $97,976,476 | $128,783,086 | 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: Charles Paul Conn — $205,431 (0.22% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Paul Conn | Chancellor | 40 | $205,431 |
| Mark Walker | President | 40 | $201,045 |
| Chris Conine | Vice President For Business & Finance | 40 | $152,241 |
| Sara Campbell | Dean, School of Nursing | 40 | $135,400 |
| Deborah Murray | Provost | 40 | $132,819 |
| William Estes | Dean, College of Education | 40 | $122,980 |
| Jayson Vanhook | Vice President For Enrollment and Marketing | 40 | $116,424 |
| Paul Delaluz | Chair, Department of Natural Sciences | 40 | $115,382 |
| Bradley Moffett | Vice President For University Relations | 40 | $112,735 |
| Ashley Freer | Director | 2 | — |
| Bobby K Jones II | Director | 2 | — |
| Byron Medlin | Director | 2 | — |
| Clayton Watson | Vice-chair | 2 | — |
| David Ramirez | Director | 2 | — |
| Dennis Livingston | Director | 2 | — |
| Eliezer Bonilla | Director | 2 | — |
| Emmitt Beall | Director | 2 | — |
| Hector Diaz | Director | 2 | — |
| Ishmael Charles | Director | 2 | — |
| James Mcintyre | Director | 2 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2023)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Sodexo | Food Service/catering | $4,771,921 |
| Tricon Inc | Construction/contractor | $1,459,875 |
| Follett Higher Education Group LLC | Bookstore | $887,928 |
| Ellucian LLC | Software Maintenance | $537,190 |
| First American Equipment Finance | Computer Leases | $481,929 |
Grants received · $11.0M total
103 grants to Lee University totaling $11.0M, 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 | $5,000,000 |
| Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Inc | For general scholarship support. | 2024 | $145,000 |
| Foundation For the Carolinas | Charitable gift | 2024 | $100,000 |
| Ayco Charitable Foundation | Education | 2024 | $10,000 |
| Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund | General support | 2024 | $10,000 |
| National Christian Charitable Foundation | Colleges and universities | 2024 | $6,900 |
| Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Inc | For general scholarship support. | 2023 | $145,000 |
| Foundation For the Carolinas | Charitable gift | 2023 | $100,000 |
| National Collegiate Athletic Association | Grants/scholarships | 2023 | $50,271 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Education | 2023 | $25,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2023 | $17,084 |
| Tulsa Community Foundation | Scholarships | 2023 | $15,148 |
| National Philanthropic Tr | Health | 2023 | $7,500 |
| Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Inc | For general scholarship support. | 2022 | $133,000 |
| Foundation For the Carolinas | Charitable gift | 2022 | $100,000 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is Lee University a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Lee University is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 62-0502739, based in Cleveland, Tennessee. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Lee University's EIN?
- Lee University's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 62-0502739.
- How much revenue does Lee University report?
- Lee University reported $91,560,640 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2023 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Lee University's spending goes to programs?
- Lee University spends about 82% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Lee University have?
- CharityIndex grades Lee University A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Lee University's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Lee University's latest Form 990 is $205,431, paid to Charles Paul Conn (Chancellor).
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Data for Lee University (EIN 62-0502739) 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.