Arizona Christian University
Arizona Christian University reported $52.9 million in revenue and $54.2 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $90.48 went to program services, $7.11 to management and general costs and $2.41 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was program service revenue such as fees, sales and contracts: 86.2% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $496,329 (PRESIDENT). 8 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 96% 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 $54MFor 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 $53MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 90.5% | 84.4% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 7.1% | 13.4% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 2.4% | 0.8% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.19 | $0.04 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 12.8% | 19.1% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 1.1% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 86.2% | 69.9% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $496,329 | $331,578 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 0.91% | 1.28% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 4.4 | 13.3 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 12 of 12 | 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 expenseArizona Christian University is an institute of higher education dedicated to training graduates to serve the lord jesus christ as leaders of influence and excellence. Based in glendale, az, acu has three biblically integrated graduate degrees in christian leadership, marriage and family therapy, and education. Founded recently, acu's programs have grown rapidly and begun to send leaders into the world with a world-class education and a purpose to transform culture with truth
Auxiliary services & outreach ministries:Arizona Christian University provides student life programs, updated facilities for students, and extra-curricular activities to further enhance the educational experience for each student. Acu provides opportunities for students to fulfill the university's mission to engage the world for jesus christ and transform culture with truth. The university helps connect students with ministries and service opportunities in the surrounding community as well as provides the opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to participate in international mission…
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 Officer, 60.00 hrs/week | $478,560 | $0 | $17,769 | $496,329 |
| CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer, 50.00 hrs/week | $300,051 | $0 | $1,032 | $301,083 |
| VP ACADEMIC AFFAIRS Key employee, 50.00 hrs/week | $194,333 | $0 | $10,453 | $204,786 |
| VP UNIVERSITY ENGAGEMENT Key employee, 50.00 hrs/week | $162,726 | $0 | $9,465 | $172,191 |
| VP ADVANCEMENT Highest compensated employee, 50.00 hrs/week | $145,978 | $0 | $15,050 | $161,028 |
| VP FINANCE Officer, 50.00 hrs/week | $142,117 | $0 | $14,728 | $156,845 |
| DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Highest compensated employee, 50.00 hrs/week | $143,711 | $0 | $5,239 | $148,950 |
| VP & HEAD BASKETBALL COACH Highest compensated employee, 50.00 hrs/week | $126,679 | $0 | $14,630 | $141,309 |
8 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Arizona Christian University (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $1.3M (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–1b12 · 12 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 11aYes
- 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 5499
- Volunteers Part I, line 650
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| SODEXO INC & AFFILIATES Food service and campus maintenance | $5,470,145 |
| VEEYA LLC It services | $256,624 |
| CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP Audit/accounting fees | $214,294 |
| NICHECOM INC Marketing services | $101,112 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 4 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
11 private foundations reported grants to Arizona Christian University totaling $266K 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 Arizona Christian 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 Arizona Christian University, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Arizona Christian University spent in FY2025, $90.48 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Friends UniversityWichita, KS · revenue $53M · programs 89.6% · FY2025
- Science Academies of New York Charter SchoolsSyracuse, NY · revenue $53M · programs 82.8% · FY2025
- Compass Rose EducationSan Antonio, TX · revenue $53M · programs 95.7% · FY2025
- The Episcopal School of DallasDallas, TX · revenue $53M · programs 78.2% · FY2025
- Benedict CollegeColumbia, SC · revenue $53M · programs 61.9% · FY2024
Questions people ask
How much of Arizona Christian University's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Arizona Christian University reported that 90.5% of its $54.2 million in expenses went to program services, 7.1% to management and general and 2.4% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Arizona Christian University pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Arizona Christian University reported for one person in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 was $496,329, for the role of PRESIDENT (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Arizona Christian University get its money?
Of $52.9 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, 12.8% came from contributions and grants (including 0.0% from government grants) and 86.2% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Arizona Christian University a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 86-0186050 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 202621359349314407 · read the filing
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, object 202501359349312845 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, object 202401369349311855 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, object 202311359349318816 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, object 202241369349315864 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, object 202131379349311003 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 86-0186050: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.