Park university's mission is to transform lives through accessible, student-centered, quality higher education.

501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
76¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
Run by 400 volunteers and 1,527 employees.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Status: IRS Pub. 78 · Programs: Part IX · People: Part I, lines 5–6

Before you give

FY2025 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Download 990
IRS status
501(c)(3)
not on the IRS revocation list
Looks good: listed by the IRS and not on the revocation list.
IRS BMF · Auto-Revocation List
Tax-deductible gifts
Yes
Donations are tax-deductible
Looks good: the IRS lists gifts to it as deductible.
IRS Pub. 78 · IRS BMF
Latest return
FY2025
latest Form 990
Looks good: the latest return is for FY2025, 1 tax year back; within 2 tax years.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
4 of 6
filings with a surplus
Average surplus $5.0M a year · 6% of revenue · last 6 filings
Fine: a surplus in 4 of the last 6 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 6 filings
Spent on programs
76%
of spending
Looks good: 76% of spending went to programs; 75% or more.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$2.8M
to officers and key staff · 3% of spending
Looks good: pay to officers and key staff is 3% of spending; 15% or less.
Pt VII · Sec A
3 mo
of spending, in cash
Looks good: 3.1 months of spending in cash; 3 or more.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
3
named funders · $85K
Looks good: 3 funders name it on their filings; 3 or more.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$34.9M
18% of total assets
Looks good: liabilities are 18% of assets; 50% or less.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
15
of 15 voting members
Looks good: 15 of 15 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$80.1M
-0.9% vs prior year
Spent
$80.6M
To programs
76%
Net assets
$159.2M
By yearFY2020–FY2025
Revenue
$80.1M
FY2025▼ -0.9%
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$95.7M
FY2021$95.2M
FY2022$102.1M
FY2023$84.5M
FY2024$80.9M
FY2025$80.1M
Expenses
$80.6M
FY2025▼ -3%
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$91.3M
FY2021$84.4M
FY2022$89.6M
FY2023$79.8M
FY2024$82.8M
FY2025$80.6M
Net assets
$159.2M
FY2025▲ +4%
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$139.9M
FY2021$150.3M
FY2022$152.0M
FY2023$153.2M
FY2024$153.1M
FY2025$159.2M

From the FY2025 Form 990 (year ending June 2025) · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

Give Claim

Is it real?

Yes. Never revoked by the IRS. Latest filing on record: FY2025. IRS ruling in Jul 1945.

IRS Pub. 78 · IRS Auto-Revocation List · IRS Business Master File

Where the money goes

76 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 76% · $61.3M Management & general 21% · $16.6M Fundraising 3% · $2.7M

Form 990 Part IX, line 25, columns B–D. Every line is in By the numbers.

Something off? Claim to fix it

Who runs it and what they're paid

35 people listed on the 990; $2.8M paid to officers and key staff.

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation · most recent filed roster (FY2024); the FY2025 filing did not itemize Part VII
President (ending 5/31/2025)
$342,735Pt VII · Sec A
$196,698Pt VII · Sec A
VP Finance and Administration (ending 1/3/2025)
$184,963Pt VII · Sec A
Dean College of Management
$167,929Pt VII · Sec A
Vice Provost
$165,806Pt VII · Sec A
Chief Financial Officer
$164,287Pt VII · Sec A
Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
$158,945Pt VII · Sec A
VP - Gilbert Campus
$145,105Pt VII · Sec A

Shane Smeed’s $343K as President (ending 5/31/2025) is at the 72nd percentile of top reported officer pay among 3683 $10–100M education nonprofits. Peer set: organizations in the same NTEE major field of work and revenue-size band, compared on each org’s own highest-paid officer/key-employee, from Form 990 Part VII / 990-PF Part VIII. Descriptive placement, not a verdict on whether the pay is appropriate.

Compensation history total reportable pay by year · 8 named individuals · Part VII

NameFY2025FY2024FY2023FY2022FY2021FY2020
Greg Gunderson——$136,732$282,093$351,280$399,653
Shane Smeed$342,735$356,432$328,880$339,732$239,456$204,766
Dave Whittaker——$224,413———
Brian Bode————$209,981$183,581
Michelle Meyers$196,698$199,921$202,650$204,437$203,826—
Michelle E Meyers—————$200,448
Gregg Givens——$128,078$194,861$148,258—
Kena Wolf—$187,091$188,262$177,734$127,433—

Total reportable compensation (Form 990 Part VII column D / Schedule J column E) by filing year, matched by name within this organization. The Schedule J base / bonus / deferred breakdown is not parsed into this dataset.

See Park University executive salaries →

On this list? Claim this org

Something off? Claim to fix it

Questions the 990 asks

The form asks each of these directly. These are the filed answers.

  • Family or business ties among officersPt VI · Ln 2No
  • Top official's pay set by an independent reviewPt VI · Ln 15aYes

Programs and updates

Educates diverse learners to become global leaders through innovative programs.

Questions for Park University

Tap to ask. Park University sees how many people are interested.

Your first name shows with your question. Park University answers here, for everyone.

Provided by the organization

Know this org? Add your story

2 programs · $61.3M · in their own filed words · FY2024
01

Provided Higher Education to Students

These are expenses connected with instruction, academic support, and student services, and all other campus related functions. Currently, park university serves approximately 13,250 students annually in the parkville and kansas city, missouri area, in the gilbert, arizona area, at remote location campuses, and online.

$57.6Mprogram expense
02

Auxiliary

These are expenses connected with student housing, food service, and a fitness center.

$3.7Mprogram expense

Funders

Who pays for it.

From grant filings on record. Receipts are incomplete: individual donors are never listed.

Grants

Schedule I · received and paid
Grants received · FY2025
Total grants receivedfrom 3 funders$85K
See all 3 funders →
Grants paid · 19 grants · $55.9M · 2019–2024
Unitemized GrantFY2024$4,736,044
Unitemized GrantFY2024$3,889,078
Unitemized GrantFY2024$519,429
Unitemized GrantFY2024$166,800
Unitemized GrantFY2023$4,393,005
Unitemized GrantFY2023$3,927,657
Unitemized GrantFY2023$548,766
Unitemized GrantFY2023$157,942
Unitemized GrantFY2022$3,996,830
Unitemized GrantFY2022$3,402,907
Unitemized GrantFY2021$7,201,012
Unitemized GrantFY2021$3,028,496
Unitemized GrantFY2021$2,785,414
Unitemized GrantFY2020$3,698,676
Unitemized GrantFY2020$2,692,383
Unitemized GrantFY2020$1,618,266
Unitemized GrantFY2019$5,069,490
Unitemized GrantFY2019$2,688,243
See all 19 grants →

By the numbers

The FY2025 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$80.1M
Ln 12
Fees for servicesLn 2g$67.1M
Other incomeLn 4–11$6.6M
Investment incomeLn 3$3.9M
Money outPt IX
$80.6M
Ln 25
Programscol B$61.3M
Managementcol C$16.6M
Fundraisingcol D$2.7M
Owns and owesPt X
$159.2M
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$20.9M
Total assetsLn 16$194.1M
LiabilitiesLn 26$34.9M
PeoplePt VI, VII
35
listed · VII A
PaidVII A19
Voting boardVI 1a15
IndependentVI 1b15
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$2.5M
Noncash giftsLn 1g$989K
Fundraising eventsLn 1c$259K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$67.1M
Investment incomeLn 3$3.9M
Other incomeLn 4–11$6.6M
Gains on assetsLn 7$496K
Total revenueLn 12$80.1M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$80K
SavingsLn 2$20.8M
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$20.9M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$62.2M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$70.1M
Other assetsLn 15$31.3M
Total assetsLn 16$194.1M
LiabilitiesLn 26$34.9M
Net assetsLn 32$159.2M
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 51,527
VolunteersI 6400
Fiscal year endsHeaderJune
Conflict-of-interest policyVI 12aYes
Whistleblower policyVI 13Yes
Records policyVI 14Yes
3Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY25End FY25
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$21.2M$20.9M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$60.2M$62.2M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$73.2M$70.1M
Total assetsLn 16$191.9M$194.1M
LiabilitiesLn 26$38.8M$34.9M
Net assetsLn 32$153.1M$159.2M
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Grants to domestic individualsLn 2$9.3M$9.3M
Pay of current officers, directors and key staffLn 5$2.6M$626K$1.8M$148K
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$30.1M$25.3M$4.2M$671K
Pension plan contributionsLn 8$974K$585K$328K$61K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$3.9M$2.6M$945K$344K
Payroll taxesLn 10$2.2M$1.7M$427K$45K
Legal feesLn 11b$266K$266K
Accounting feesLn 11c$140K$140K
Investment management feesLn 11f$30K$30K
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$2.5M$1.7M$544K$251K
Advertising and promotionLn 12$1.2M$1.2M$39K
Office expensesLn 13$2.2M$1.1M$1.0M$94K
Information technologyLn 14$3.0M$618K$2.4M
OccupancyLn 16$5.3M$3.1M$1.1M$1.1M
TravelLn 17$1.1M$994K$61K$10K
Conferences, conventions and meetingsLn 19$167K$141K$21K$5K
InterestLn 20$628K$604K$24K
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$5.2M$4.7M$468K
InsuranceLn 23$2.5M$1.1M$1.4M
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$7.0M$5.6M$1.3M
All other expensesLn 24e$280K$280K$0$0
Total functional expensesLn 25$80.6M$61.3M$16.6M$2.7M

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2025 Latest Viewing $80.1M$80.6M−$484K$159.2M 990 PDF
FY2024 $80.9M$82.8M−$1.9M$153.1M 990 PDF
FY2023 $84.5M$79.8M$4.7M$153.2M 990 PDF
FY2022 $102.1M$89.6M$12.6M$152.0M 990 PDF
FY2021 $95.2M$84.4M$10.9M$150.3M 990 PDF
FY2020 $95.7M$91.3M$4.5M$139.9M 990 PDF

More to add? Claim this org

Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs I · Grants R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons A · Public support F · Foreign M · Noncash
See the full FY2025 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $80,125,480 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $1,845,315$2,476,690
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $72,309,415$67,146,011
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $3,972,726$3,901,428
I-11 Other revenuePrior year $2,758,045$6,601,351
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $80,885,501$80,125,480
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $9,027,370$9,311,351
I-14 Benefits paid to members$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $38,534,022$39,806,832
I-16a Professional fundraising fees$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $35,270,000$31,491,122
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $82,831,392$80,609,305
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year −$1,945,891−$483,825
Part VI · Governance 15 of 15 board members independent, no flags
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body15
VI-1b Independent voting members15
VI-2 Family or business relationship among officers or directorsNo
VI-12a Written conflict of interest policyYes
VI-13 Written whistleblower policyYes
VI-14 Document retention and destruction policyYes
VI-15a Process for setting top official's payYes
Part VIII · Statement of revenue $80,125,480 across 11 lines filed
VIII-1c Fundraising events$258,642
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$2,218,048
VIII-1g Noncash contributions (included above)$989,206
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$2,476,690
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Related to mission $67,146,011$67,146,011
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $3,405,495$3,405,495
VIII-6 Net rental income or lossExcluded from tax $1,400,223$1,400,223
VIII-7 Net gain or loss on sales of assetsExcluded from tax $495,933$495,933
VIII-8 Net income from fundraising eventsExcluded from tax −$37,876−$37,876
VIII-11a-d Other revenue, itemized rows (sum of 11a–11d as filed)Excluded from tax $5,239,004$5,239,004
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $67,146,011 · Unrelated business $0 · Excluded from tax $10,502,779$80,125,480
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $80,609,305 across 21 lines filed
IX-2 Grants to domestic individualsPrograms $9,311,351$9,311,351
IX-5 Pay of current officers, directors and key staffPrograms $626,127 · Management $1,810,455 · Fundraising $148,232$2,584,814
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $25,296,665 · Management $4,169,424 · Fundraising $671,185$30,137,274
IX-8 Pension plan contributionsPrograms $585,381 · Management $328,105 · Fundraising $60,836$974,322
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $2,615,225 · Management $944,593 · Fundraising $343,570$3,903,388
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $1,734,923 · Management $426,946 · Fundraising $45,165$2,207,034
IX-11b Legal feesManagement $266,370$266,370
IX-11c Accounting feesManagement $140,232$140,232
IX-11f Investment management feesManagement $29,774$29,774
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $1,685,878 · Management $543,633 · Fundraising $250,779$2,480,290
IX-12 Advertising and promotionPrograms $1,194,934 · Management $39,400$1,234,334
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $1,112,304 · Management $1,009,936 · Fundraising $94,405$2,216,645
IX-14 Information technologyPrograms $617,888 · Management $2,406,982$3,024,870
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $3,078,206 · Management $1,125,895 · Fundraising $1,098,592$5,302,693
IX-17 TravelPrograms $993,672 · Management $61,280 · Fundraising $9,578$1,064,530
IX-19 Conferences, conventions and meetingsPrograms $141,445 · Management $20,827 · Fundraising $4,635$166,907
IX-20 InterestPrograms $603,839 · Management $23,705$627,544
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationPrograms $4,732,676 · Management $468,067$5,200,743
IX-23 InsurancePrograms $1,077,654 · Management $1,426,022$2,503,676
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $5,606,458 · Management $1,346,227$6,952,685
IX-24e All other expensesPrograms $279,829 · Management $0 · Fundraising $0$279,829
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $61,294,455 · Management $16,587,873 · Fundraising $2,726,977$80,609,305
Part X · Balance sheet $194,118,957 assets, 18 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $5,018,696$79,518
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $16,160,843$20,778,996
X-3 Pledges and grants receivableStart of year $611,964$363,282
X-4 Accounts receivableStart of year $4,377,965$7,507,103
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $1,042,834$1,743,841
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $73,230,337$70,100,026
X-11 Publicly traded securitiesStart of year $60,201,064$62,235,505
X-15 Other assetsStart of year $28,887,930$31,310,686
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $191,861,703$194,118,957
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $7,435,987$8,851,635
X-19 Deferred revenueStart of year $4,452,532$4,886,818
X-20 Tax-exempt bond liabilitiesStart of year $18,012,701$16,462,475
X-25 Other liabilitiesStart of year $6,729,231$2,823,966
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $38,785,451$34,909,894
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $94,138,120$93,795,782
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $58,938,132$65,413,281
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $153,076,252$159,209,063
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $191,861,703$194,118,957
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $159,209,063 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$80,125,480
XI-2 Total expenses$80,609,305
XI-3 Revenue less expenses−$483,825
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$153,076,252
XI-5 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments$2,838,157
XI-6 Donated services and use of facilities$519,497
XI-9 Other changes in net assets$3,258,982
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$159,209,063

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2025 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

Similar organizations you could support · Compare with another nonprofit

Names, privacy, and removal requests More

The names, titles, and compensation shown on this page are reproduced from IRS Form 990 filings, which are public records.

Philanthropy.org does not alter the content of those filings. All information appears exactly as reported by the filing organization for the tax year shown.

We publish only information contained in the public IRS filing — and less than the filing contains. Our profile pages do not display street addresses, telephone numbers, personal email addresses, or other personal contact information, even where the filing includes them.

Many people share the same name. A name shown on this page reflects only what one organization reported in one IRS filing for one tax year. It should not be interpreted as identifying any other individual with the same or a similar name.

If you are no longer affiliated with the organization, your name will generally stop appearing in future IRS filings once the organization no longer reports you. Pages for tax years in which you were reported remain published because those filings remain part of the public record.

Philanthropy.org does not alter or remove IRS filing records. Removing a page from this website would not remove the underlying IRS filing, which remains publicly available from the IRS and other publishers of the same information.

If you believe the IRS filing itself is inaccurate, corrections must be made by the filing organization or the IRS directly.

Your org? Add context

Made it to the end? Claim this org

All figures are derived from public IRS Form 990 filings and are presented without evaluation of any organization. philanthropy.org does not rate, score, or rank organizations, including the pay comparisons above.