The primary mission of Furman as a liberal arts institution is to provide a distinctive education in fine arts, humanities, social sciences, mathematics and the sciences, as well as selected professional disciplines.

501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
89¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
Run by 31 volunteers and 2,357 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 $13.6M a year · 5% of revenue · last 6 filings
Fine: a surplus in 4 of the last 6 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 6 filings
Spent on programs
89%
of spending
Looks good: 89% of spending went to programs; 75% or more.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$5.8M
to officers and key staff · 2% of spending
Looks good: pay to officers and key staff is 2% of spending; 15% or less.
Pt VII · Sec A
<1 mo
of spending, in cash
Plus $793.6M in investments, Pt X · Ln 11–13
Fine: 0.5 months of spending in cash, plus $793.6M in investments.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
7
named funders · $405K
Looks good: 7 funders name it on their filings; 3 or more.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$269.7M
19% of total assets
Looks good: liabilities are 19% of assets; 50% or less.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
31
of 31 voting members
Looks good: 31 of 31 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$296.9M
+3% vs prior year
Spent
$280.1M
To programs
89%
Net assets
$1.2B
By yearFY2020–FY2025
Revenue
$296.9M
FY2025▲ +3%
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$208.1M
FY2021$303.6M
FY2022$253.4M
FY2023$223.2M
FY2024$288.9M
FY2025$296.9M
Expenses
$280.1M
FY2025▲ +4%
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$233.1M
FY2021$213.7M
FY2022$239.5M
FY2023$256.1M
FY2024$270.1M
FY2025$280.1M
Net assets
$1.2B
FY2025▲ +4%
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$931.2M
FY2021$1.2B
FY2022$1.1B
FY2023$1.1B
FY2024$1.1B
FY2025$1.2B

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 Aug 1937.

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

Where the money goes

89 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 89% · $250.2M Management & general 9% · $24.6M Fundraising 2% · $5.2M

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

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Who runs it and what they're paid

50 people listed on the 990; $5.8M 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
Men's Head Basketball Coach
$760,270Pt VII · Sec A
$633,775Pt VII · Sec A
VP for Fin & Admin
$415,651Pt VII · Sec A
Head Football Coach
$387,885Pt VII · Sec A
Chief Investment Officer
$317,843Pt VII · Sec A
VP for Intercollegiate Athletics
$315,039Pt VII · Sec A
VP for Uni Comm (thru 3/25)
$303,631Pt VII · Sec A
VP for Acad Affairs & Provost
$303,493Pt VII · Sec A

Robert Richey’s $760K as Men's Head Basketball Coach is at the 64th percentile of top reported officer pay among 674 $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
Dr Elizabeth Davis$633,775$622,355$859,371$497,848$498,748$536,840
Robert Richey$760,270$645,722$397,228$378,544$383,693$280,206
Susan Maddux$415,651$406,909$350,377$271,001$237,905$262,690
Clayton Hendrix$387,885$321,204—$272,860$269,462$282,194
Robert Kenney$317,843$292,226$273,490———
Jason Donnelly$315,039$304,486$275,481$243,481$249,593$123,833
Thomas Evelyn II$303,631—————
Beth Pontari$303,493$265,647————

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 Furman University executive salaries →

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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

Provides undergraduate higher education that combines classroom learning with real-world experiences, supported by campus housing, dining, and recreational facilities.

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Provided by the organization

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3 programs · $250.2M · in their own filed words · FY2024
01

Instruction of students in both undergraduate and graduate programs. A personalized four-year pathway for students instituted by the furman advantage includes high impact, engaged learning through research, internships, and study abroad programs. Scholarships are awarded to eligible students based on financial need and academic merit.

$181.8Mprogram expense
02

Student services includes intercollegiate athletics, intramural and club sports, enrollment management, student government and a large variety of student organizations, services and activities.

$39.4Mprogram expense
03

The university conducted auxiliary enterprises for the convenience of students, faculty, staff and the at-large community. These auxiliary enterprises include student housing, dining services, golf course, sports arena and conference center.

$29.0Mprogram 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
See all 7 funders →
Grants paid · 83 grants · $460.5M · 2019–2024
Unitemized GrantFY2024$76,483,260
Unitemized GrantFY2024$13,520,282
Unitemized GrantFY2024$1,879,698
Unitemized GrantFY2024$716,652
Greenville Arena DistrictFY2024$78,000
The Greenville Drive LLCFY2024$60,000
Upcountry History MuseumSC · FY2024$50,000
Unitemized GrantFY2024$25,000
Prisma Health - UpstateSC · FY2024$13,397
City of Greenville SCFY2024$10,000
Our Upstate-SCSC · FY2024$10,000
Greenville Arts FestivalSC · FY2024$10,000
Fall for Greenville INCSC · FY2024$7,500
United MinistriesSC · FY2024$6,650
Unitemized GrantFY2023$69,368,661
See all 83 grants →

By the numbers

The FY2025 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$296.9M
Ln 12
Fees for servicesLn 2g$194.0M
Investment incomeLn 3$64.4M
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$38.1M
Money outPt IX
$280.1M
Ln 25
Programscol B$250.2M
Managementcol C$24.6M
Fundraisingcol D$5.2M
Owns and owesPt X
$1.2B
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$12.3M
Total assetsLn 16$1.4B
LiabilitiesLn 26$269.7M
PeoplePt VI, VII
50
listed · VII A
PaidVII A19
Voting boardVI 1a31
IndependentVI 1b31
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$38.1M
Government grantsLn 1e$4.1M
Noncash giftsLn 1g$5.5M
Fundraising eventsLn 1c$35K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$194.0M
Investment incomeLn 3$64.4M
Other incomeLn 4–11$330K
Gains on assetsLn 7$47.6M
Total revenueLn 12$296.9M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$11.7M
SavingsLn 2$641K
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$12.3M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$793.6M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$383.3M
Other assetsLn 15$211.6M
Total assetsLn 16$1.4B
LiabilitiesLn 26$269.7M
Net assetsLn 32$1.2B
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 52,357
VolunteersI 631
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$11.6M$12.3M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$756.4M$793.6M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$312.1M$383.3M
Total assetsLn 16$1.40B$1.45B
LiabilitiesLn 26$269.3M$269.7M
Net assetsLn 32$1.13B$1.18B
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Grants to domestic organizationsLn 1$349K$349K
Grants to domestic individualsLn 2$92.6M$92.6M
Pay of current officers, directors and key staffLn 5$3.8M$1.4M$2.1M$306K
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$64.9M$55.7M$6.6M$2.6M
Pension plan contributionsLn 8$5.7M$4.7M$717K$241K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$13.6M$10.1M$3.0M$446K
Payroll taxesLn 10$5.3M$4.4M$665K$223K
Management feesLn 11a$124K$124K
Legal feesLn 11b$453K$453K
Accounting feesLn 11c$155K$155K
Investment management feesLn 11f$2.3M$2.3M
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$6.9M$5.3M$1.4M$121K
Advertising and promotionLn 12$1.2M$572K$334K$317K
Office expensesLn 13$2.9M$2.5M$232K$105K
Information technologyLn 14$5.8M$4.3M$1.2M$326K
OccupancyLn 16$1.6M$34K$1.6M
TravelLn 17$10.6M$10.2M$202K$160K
Conferences, conventions and meetingsLn 19$2.9M$2.3M$437K$211K
InterestLn 20$7.3M$8.5M−$1.2M
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$17.1M$15.9M$1.2M
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$34.0M$30.8M$3.0M$168K
All other expensesLn 24e$466K$421K$45K
Total functional expensesLn 25$280.1M$250.2M$24.6M$5.2M

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2025 Latest Viewing $296.9M$280.1M$16.8M$1.2B 990 PDF
FY2024 $288.9M$270.1M$18.8M$1.1B 990 PDF
FY2023 $223.2M$256.1M−$32.9M$1.1B 990 PDF
FY2022 $253.4M$239.5M$13.8M$1.1B 990 PDF
FY2021 $303.6M$213.7M$89.9M$1.2B 990 PDF
FY2020 $208.1M$233.1M−$25.0M$931.2M 990 PDF

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Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons I · Grants A · Public support M · Noncash J · Pay O · Explanations
See the full FY2025 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $296,850,871 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $43,802,648$38,102,756
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $184,035,811$194,004,922
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $60,117,373$64,412,741
I-11 Other revenuePrior year $927,751$330,452
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $288,883,583$296,850,871
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $85,801,841$92,973,746
I-14 Benefits paid to membersPrior year $0$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $92,832,745$93,271,351
I-16a Professional fundraising feesPrior year $0$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $91,498,301$93,809,030
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $270,132,887$280,054,127
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year $18,750,696$16,796,744
Part VI · Governance 31 of 31 board members independent, no flags
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body31
VI-1b Independent voting members31
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 $296,850,871 across 13 lines filed
VIII-1c Fundraising events$34,775
VIII-1d Related organizations$338,610
VIII-1e Government grants$4,148,316
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$33,581,055
VIII-1g Noncash contributions (included above)$5,519,076
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$38,102,756
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Related to mission $194,004,922$194,004,922
VIII-3 Investment incomeUnrelated business −$905,134 · Excluded from tax $17,744,031$16,838,897
VIII-6 Net rental income or lossRelated to mission $395,946 · Unrelated business $27,335 · Excluded from tax −$255,002$168,279
VIII-7 Net gain or loss on sales of assetsUnrelated business $375,443 · Excluded from tax $47,198,401$47,573,844
VIII-8 Net income from fundraising eventsExcluded from tax $49,330$49,330
VIII-11a-d Other revenue, itemized rows (sum of 11a–11d as filed)Excluded from tax $112,843$112,843
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $194,400,868 · Unrelated business −$502,356 · Excluded from tax $64,849,603$296,850,871
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $280,054,127 across 22 lines filed
IX-1 Grants to domestic organizationsPrograms $348,854$348,854
IX-2 Grants to domestic individualsPrograms $92,624,892$92,624,892
IX-5 Pay of current officers, directors and key staffPrograms $1,387,000 · Management $2,111,188 · Fundraising $306,106$3,804,294
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $55,737,805 · Management $6,582,164 · Fundraising $2,614,705$64,934,674
IX-8 Pension plan contributionsPrograms $4,712,796 · Management $717,202 · Fundraising $240,967$5,670,965
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $10,148,566 · Management $3,008,046 · Fundraising $446,275$13,602,887
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $4,370,048 · Management $665,041 · Fundraising $223,442$5,258,531
IX-11a Management feesManagement $123,777$123,777
IX-11b Legal feesManagement $452,831$452,831
IX-11c Accounting feesManagement $154,650$154,650
IX-11f Investment management feesManagement $2,332,323$2,332,323
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $5,341,682 · Management $1,428,693 · Fundraising $121,254$6,891,629
IX-12 Advertising and promotionPrograms $571,833 · Management $334,463 · Fundraising $316,710$1,223,006
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $2,526,063 · Management $232,068 · Fundraising $104,567$2,862,698
IX-14 Information technologyPrograms $4,312,678 · Management $1,192,253 · Fundraising $325,533$5,830,464
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $34,271 · Management $1,573,870$1,608,141
IX-17 TravelPrograms $10,233,142 · Management $201,931 · Fundraising $159,709$10,594,782
IX-19 Conferences, conventions and meetingsPrograms $2,279,245 · Management $436,715 · Fundraising $210,732$2,926,692
IX-20 InterestPrograms $8,489,405 · Management −$1,162,630$7,326,775
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationPrograms $15,881,906 · Management $1,178,948$17,060,854
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $30,812,420 · Management $2,974,556 · Fundraising $167,749$33,954,725
IX-24e All other expensesPrograms $421,063 · Management $44,620$465,683
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $250,233,669 · Management $24,582,709 · Fundraising $5,237,749$280,054,127
Part X · Balance sheet $1,449,547,125 assets, 21 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $11,018,088$11,659,188
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $622,895$640,677
X-3 Pledges and grants receivableStart of year $39,651,582$34,445,433
X-4 Accounts receivableStart of year $4,917,912$4,523,384
X-8 Inventories for sale or useStart of year $296,850$305,427
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $1,824,709$3,354,979
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $312,056,671$383,322,921
X-11 Publicly traded securitiesStart of year $146,484,487$120,399,214
X-12 Other securitiesStart of year $609,913,464$673,154,727
X-14 Intangible assets$6,148,035
X-15 Other assetsStart of year $272,881,222$211,593,140
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $1,399,667,880$1,449,547,125
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $14,278,920$17,728,885
X-19 Deferred revenueStart of year $6,538,775$7,373,408
X-20 Tax-exempt bond liabilitiesStart of year $245,872,855$242,008,875
X-25 Other liabilitiesStart of year $2,596,426$2,564,156
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $269,319,882$269,707,562
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $366,512,182$379,016,711
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $763,835,816$800,822,852
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $1,130,347,998$1,179,839,563
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $1,399,667,880$1,449,547,125
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $1,179,839,563 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$296,850,871
XI-2 Total expenses$280,054,127
XI-3 Revenue less expenses$16,796,744
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$1,130,347,998
XI-5 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments$32,733,331
XI-9 Other changes in net assets−$38,510
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$1,179,839,563

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

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