Soka University of America
64% goes to programs $25 to raise $100 Strong reserves Growing revenue
Soka University of America is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Aliso Viejo, California, registered in 1985, with $86,167,359 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it C+, and it directs about 64% of spending to programs.
1 University Dr, Aliso Viejo, CA, 92656 EIN 95-3909672 Since 1985
Revenue (FY2023)
$86.2M
▲ 114.5% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2023)
$111.2M
Net assets
$1.9B
Employees
653
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
C+
★★★★
Rated on 4 of 4 criteria.
Held down by its weakest criterion — a strong score on one criterion can't hide a weak one.
How the rating works →C+Program efficiency40% of the rating64% to programs · $25 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 Soka University of America: 64% to programs · $25 to raise $100 earns a C+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
DFinancial health25% of the rating200 mo reserves · -29% 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 Soka University of America: 200 mo reserves · -29% margin earns a D 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 Soka University of America: 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 Soka University of America: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
To foster a steady stream of global citizens committed to living a contributive life. see sch o.
What they do
Masters of arts: graduate program in educational leadership and societal change (12 students). see additional information on schedule o.
Extended bridge program and english as a second language (esl) program services (10 students). see additional information on schedule o.
Contact & location
- Address
- 1 University Dr, Aliso Viejo, CA, 92656
- City
- Aliso Viejo
- State
- California
- Category
- Education
- Subcategory
- Colleges & Universities
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $56.9M (FY2013) to $86.2M (FY2023) across 10 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2023)
Liabilities $6.1MNet assets $1.9B
Operating margin
-29.0%
Spent more than it raised in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$1.9B
Total liabilities
$6.1M
Net assets
$1.9B
Salaries & benefits
$34.7M
31% of expenses
Board members
15
14 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $86,167,359▲114% | $111,156,122▲7.4% | $1,851,380,144▲4.0% | $1,857,444,690▲4.0% | 990 |
| 2022 | $40,173,782▼61.7% | $103,480,534▲11.0% | $1,779,881,861▲1.6% | $1,786,852,619▲1.6% | 990 |
| 2021 | $104,842,557▲68.8% | $93,230,988▲21.7% | $1,752,258,632▼9.1% | $1,757,985,663▼9.1% | 990 |
| 2020 | $62,118,050▲27.4% | $76,584,113▼3.8% | $1,927,129,505▲15.6% | $1,933,834,260▲15.3% | 990 |
| 2018 | $48,746,196▼69.1% | $79,593,938▲2.8% | $1,666,926,556▲0.4% | $1,676,808,669▲0.5% | 990 |
| 2017 | $157,851,255▲105% | $77,389,005▲3.3% | $1,659,872,212▲7.6% | $1,668,840,643▲7.8% | 990 |
| 2016 | $76,942,047▲41.0% | $74,917,601▲2.1% | $1,542,049,202▲4.9% | $1,547,493,868▲5.1% | 990 |
| 2015 | $54,579,669▼23.7% | $73,399,452▲4.3% | $1,469,824,009▼4.5% | $1,472,689,567▼4.5% | 990 |
| 2014 | $71,546,102▲25.7% | $70,373,121▲4.5% | $1,538,649,741▼2.5% | $1,541,564,658▼2.5% | 990 |
| 2013 | $56,926,057 | $67,338,679▲7.9% | $1,577,971,392▲8.5% | $1,580,364,199▲8.4% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $62,422,760▲8.4% | $1,454,286,315▲5.0% | $1,457,298,476▲4.9% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $57,583,940▲11.7% | $1,384,973,276▼2.1% | $1,389,184,045▼2.1% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $51,547,438▲6.0% | $1,415,306,104▲69.8% | $1,418,715,717▲68.3% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $48,609,812 | $833,609,245 | $842,797,528 | 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: Edward Feasel — $528,500 (0.48% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edward Feasel | President/prof of Economics | 40 | $528,500 |
| Archibald E Asawa | Evp Fin & Adm/cfo/chief Invest Offcr | 40 | $357,280 |
| Tomoko Takahashi | Vp Inst'l Res & Assmt/dean Graduate | 40 | $293,441 |
| Michael Weiner | Vp of Academic Affairs | 40 | $260,417 |
| Katherine Stapchuk | Vp Human Resources/risk Mgmt | 40 | $244,650 |
| Bryan Penprase | Vp of Sponsored Res/external Academic | 40 | $217,122 |
| Robert Hamersley | Dean of Faculty | 40 | $213,892 |
| John Heffron | Prof. of Educational History & Culture | 40 | $200,065 |
| David Welch | Vp and University Counsel | 40 | $196,185 |
| Jonathan Merzel | Prof. of Mathematics | 40 | $196,118 |
| John Min | Director of Information Technology | 40 | $194,750 |
| Robert Allinson | Professor of Philosophy | 40 | $194,154 |
| Kevin Moncrief | Vp of Mission Integration | 40 | $185,283 |
| David M Nakabayashi | Controller & Asst Treasurer | 40 | $173,993 |
| Hiroki Sakai | Corp Secretary | 40 | $148,812 |
| Adin Strauss Cfa | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Andrea Bartoli Phd | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Andy Firoved | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Clothilde V Hewlett Jd | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Gene O'connell Rn Ms | Trustee | 1 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2023)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge Associates LLC | Invest. Management | $1,595,746 |
| Clune Construction Company LP | Construction - Repair and Maintenance | $715,725 |
| Moss Adams LLP | Audit Services | $315,892 |
| South Coast Medical Group Family & Sport | Medical Services | $312,290 |
| Irene's Events | Event Rentals and Services | $226,934 |
Grants received · $840K total
15 grants to Soka University of America totaling $840K, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Soka University of America a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Soka University of America is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 95-3909672, based in Aliso Viejo, California. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Soka University of America's EIN?
- Soka University of America's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 95-3909672.
- How much revenue does Soka University of America report?
- Soka University of America reported $86,167,359 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2023 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Soka University of America's spending goes to programs?
- Soka University of America spends about 64% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Soka University of America have?
- CharityIndex grades Soka University of America C+, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Soka University of America's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Soka University of America's latest Form 990 is $528,500, paid to Edward Feasel (President/prof of Economics).
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Data for Soka University of America (EIN 95-3909672) 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.