Bluffton University
Bluffton University reported $30.1 million in revenue and $33.0 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $91.41 went to program services, $5.76 to management and general costs and $2.83 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was program service revenue such as fees, sales and contracts: 89.5% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $248,535 (PRESIDENT (LEFT 02/2025)). 1 person received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue fell 7% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $33MFor context, the median across 5,499 covered education charities: $85.56 programs, $13.59 management, $0.85 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $30MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 91.4% | 84.4% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 5.8% | 13.4% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 2.8% | 0.8% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.42 | $0.04 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 7.3% | 19.1% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.5% | 1.1% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 89.5% | 69.9% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $248,535 | $331,578 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 0.75% | 1.28% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 1 | 8 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 20.6 | 13.3 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 15 of 15 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseBluffton University provides an educational experience that promotes our four enduring values of discovery, community, respect and service. One can choose from 45 majors and more than 41 minors. Business administration, education, sport management, and nutrition and dietetics are among our largest majors. We also offer graduate programs in education and business. Our student aid program served 566 students and allows the institution to provide an education that helps students find their greater purpose
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRESIDENT (LEFT 02/2025) Officer, 40.0 hrs/week | $235,837 | $0 | $12,698 | $248,535 |
| PRESIDENT (START 07/2025) Officer, 40.0 hrs/week | $88,872 | $0 | $29,888 | $118,760 |
| VP ACADEMIC AFFAIRS Officer, 40.0 hrs/week | $89,551 | $0 | $11,051 | $100,602 |
| VP STUDENT LIFE & ATHLETICS Officer, 40.0 hrs/week | $83,183 | $0 | $10,973 | $94,156 |
| VP CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (START 05/2025) Officer, 40.0 hrs/week | $59,112 | $0 | $28,836 | $87,948 |
| VP ENROLLMENT AND ADVANCEMENT Officer, 40.0 hrs/week | $59,226 | $0 | $10,573 | $69,799 |
1 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Bluffton University (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $709K (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b15 · 15 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aNo
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4No
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bNo
- Employees Part I, line 5535
- Volunteers Part I, line 615
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| Sodexo Inc & Affiliates Food services | $1,643,202 |
| Buckeye Charter Service Inc Transportation service | $171,680 |
| Millstream-Kennedy Inc Graphic Solutions Graphic Arts SERVICES | $127,939 |
| Securitas Security Services USA Inc Security services | $113,850 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 6 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
6 private foundations reported grants to Bluffton University totaling $26,082 on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Bluffton University's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Bluffton University, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
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Of every $100 Bluffton University spent in FY2025, $91.41 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Christian Academy of LouisvilleLouisville, KY · revenue $30M · programs 77.3% · FY2025
- Canterbury SchoolFort Myers, FL · revenue $30M · programs 81.8% · FY2025
- Herron High SchoolIndianapolis, IN · revenue $30M · programs 88.2% · FY2025
- IDEA Public Schools LouisianaBaton Rouge, LA · revenue $30M · programs 55.8% · FY2025
- Lake Norman Charter SchoolHuntersville, NC · revenue $30M · programs 91.9% · FY2025
Questions people ask
How much of Bluffton University's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Bluffton University reported that 91.4% of its $33.0 million in expenses went to program services, 5.8% to management and general and 2.8% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Bluffton University pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Bluffton University reported for one person in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 was $248,535, for the role of PRESIDENT (LEFT 02/2025) (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Bluffton University get its money?
Of $30.1 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, 7.3% came from contributions and grants (including 0.5% from government grants) and 89.5% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Bluffton University a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 34-4428207 as a 501(c)(3) organization (school), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, object 202611289349302721 · read the filing · XML
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, object 202510579349301751 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, object 202410589349300536 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, object 202300639349300305 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, object 202230549349300008 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, object 202131349349302513 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 34-4428207: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.