Lesley University
501(c)(3) Donations tax-deductible
78% goes to programs $3 to raise $100 Strong reserves Growing revenue
Lesley University is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, registered in 1965, with $150,495,525 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 78% of spending to programs.
29 Everett St, Cambridge, MA, 02138 EIN 04-2103589 Since 1965
Revenue (FY2023)
$150.5M
▲ 27.8% vs prior year
Expenses (FY2023)
$122.6M
Net assets
$302.0M
Employees
1,367
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 rating78% to programs · $3 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 Lesley University: 78% to programs · $3 to raise $100 earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating30 mo reserves · +19% 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 Lesley University: 30 mo reserves · +19% 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 Lesley 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 Lesley University: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
Lesley university engages students in transformative education through active learning, scholarly research, diverse forms of artistic expression, and the integration of rigorous academics with practical, professional experience, leading to meaningful careers and continuing lifelong learning. lesley prepares socially responsible graduates with the knowledge, skills, understanding and ethical judgment to be catalysts shaping a more just, humane, and sustainable world.
What they do
Expenses related to academic support which includes the expenses for the library, dean of students, various academic deans and other academic support. also, expenses related to research and general institutional operations.
Expenses related to financial aid for students:the purpose of financial aid is to help students attain their goal of a lesley university education, by offering financial assistance in the form of grants, loans, and student work opportunities.
Expenses related to services provided to the student body, including counseling, career guidance, admissions, registrar, student activities, and health services as well as expenses related to athletic programs.
Contact & location
- Address
- 29 Everett St, Cambridge, MA, 02138
- City
- Cambridge
- State
- Massachusetts
- Category
- —
- Subcategory
- —
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $122.1M (FY2013) to $150.5M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2023)
Liabilities $133.2MNet assets $302.0M
Operating margin
18.5%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$435.2M
Total liabilities
$133.2M
Net assets
$302.0M
Salaries & benefits
$60.0M
49% of expenses
Board members
17
16 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $150,495,525▲27.8% | $122,647,449▲5.0% | $301,980,466▲9.6% | $435,216,507▲2.9% | 990 |
| 2022 | $117,726,321▲3.1% | $116,817,987▼2.7% | $275,423,363▲4.4% | $422,901,748 | 990 |
| 2021 | $114,171,327▼10.1% | $120,096,401▲10.8% | $263,848,353▼13.1% | $422,988,983▼8.0% | 990 |
| 2020 | $126,944,351▲8.7% | $108,405,064▼13.4% | $303,623,861▲16.9% | $459,682,175▲10.0% | 990 |
| 2019 | $116,825,952▼12.9% | $125,113,113▼2.4% | $259,836,100▼5.1% | $417,901,477▼1.0% | 990 |
| 2018 | $134,182,327▲10.0% | $128,203,355▲4.4% | $273,899,872▲0.1% | $422,143,910▲5.6% | 990 |
| 2017 | $122,031,534▼2.3% | $122,787,880▲4.0% | $273,561,873▲0.9% | $399,865,961▼0.1% | 990 |
| 2016 | $124,943,990▲10.4% | $118,057,904▲4.9% | $271,241,906▲4.1% | $400,262,616▲4.5% | 990 |
| 2015 | $113,128,556▼2.2% | $112,500,490▲5.7% | $260,559,299▼2.5% | $383,034,489▼3.2% | 990 |
| 2014 | $115,633,894▼5.3% | $106,467,020▼10.7% | $267,282,787▲1.7% | $395,891,350▼0.5% | 990 |
| 2013 | $122,147,016 | $119,160,401▼3.5% | $262,827,781▲10.0% | $397,707,417▲11.6% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $123,483,722▲2.2% | $238,958,324▲9.4% | $356,431,832▲5.3% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $120,838,505▲3.5% | $218,400,127▼1.6% | $338,574,676▼1.6% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $116,710,706▲5.9% | $222,009,032▲10.7% | $343,924,145▲8.5% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $110,217,013 | $200,639,017 | $317,124,368 | 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: Janet L Steinmayer — $610,150 (0.50% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janet L Steinmayer | President | 40 | $610,150 |
| Jonathan K Jefferson | Former Sp. Advsr. To the Pres. | 40 | $297,942 |
| Deanna Yameen | Interim Provost | 40 | $264,206 |
| Shirin Philipp | Vp & General Counsel | 40 | $262,692 |
| Mary-jane Maclaughlin | Chief Hr Officer | 40 | $256,371 |
| Joanne Kossuth | Coo | 40 | $251,170 |
| Amy Deines | Dean of Art & Design (until 6/23) | 40 | $219,890 |
| Gloria Noronha | Vp Equity Diversity Inclusion and Justice | 40 | $211,122 |
| Atasoylu Ayse | Director of Student Health Services | 20 | $204,541 |
| Nathaniel G Mays | Dean of Students | 40 | $194,012 |
| Irene Fountas | Director Reading Recovery | 40 | $191,108 |
| Emma Stellman | Managing Director of Office of Partnerships | 40 | $190,607 |
| Andrew Demelia | Avp - Operation | 40 | $185,060 |
| Steven S Shapiro | Vice Provost For Liberal Arts & Business | 40 | $174,521 |
| Meenakshi Chhabra | Vice Provost For Mental Health & Wellbeing | 40 | $153,075 |
| Stephanie Spadorcia | Vice Provost For Education | 40 | $150,492 |
| Heather Shaw | Vice Provost For Art & Design | 40 | $150,431 |
| Amy E Rutstein-riley | Dean of Gsoe (until 6/23) | 40 | $104,267 |
| Michael J Hoyle | Ph.d., Vp Finance/cfo | 40 | — |
| Mr Art Bardige | Trustee | 1 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2023)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Shawmut Design Construction | Construction | $5,692,982 |
| Aramark Services | Dining Services | $3,100,205 |
| Ug2 LLC | Facility Services | $2,676,182 |
| Centerbrook Architects and Planners LLP | Architectural Services | $1,691,944 |
| Vantage Builders Inc | Construction | $1,329,122 |
Grants received · $26.8M total
66 grants to Lesley University totaling $26.8M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Foundation | Education | 2024 | $4,305,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $50,291 |
| National Christian Charitable Foundation | Colleges and universities | 2024 | $6,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2023 | $2,345,928 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2023 | $400,291 |
| Community Foundation of New Jersey | Unrestricted grant to support organization's exempt purpose | 2023 | $250,000 |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Research | 2023 | $241,053 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2023 | $199,991 |
| Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2023 | $99,000 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Education | 2023 | $20,300 |
| The San Diego Foundation | For general support | 2023 | $9,000 |
| Columbus Foundation | Education | 2023 | $6,500 |
| Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston Inc | Daf - education | 2023 | $6,250 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2022 | $1,743,489 |
| Columbus Foundation | Education | 2022 | $1,500,000 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is Lesley University a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Lesley University is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 04-2103589, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Lesley University's EIN?
- Lesley University's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 04-2103589.
- How much revenue does Lesley University report?
- Lesley University reported $150,495,525 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2023 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Lesley University's spending goes to programs?
- Lesley University spends about 78% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Lesley University have?
- CharityIndex grades Lesley University A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Lesley University's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Lesley University's latest Form 990 is $610,150, paid to Janet L Steinmayer (President).
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Explore more
Data for Lesley University (EIN 04-2103589) 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.