Samuel Merritt University

Analysis

Samuel Merritt University is a registered charity in United States, based in Oakland, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in May 1986, 40 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education, which this site groups under education and training. The IRS classifies it as a school under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Samuel Merritt University reported income of $113.9m and spending of $107.6m, spending 94% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $95.8m to $113.9m (+19%), an average of +4.4% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income rose by 35%. Over the whole period it spent 82% of the income it received.

Among 66,972 United States charities whose main cause is education and training and that reported income, Samuel Merritt University sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile, and in the 99th percentile within CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Trustees of the Hamline University of Minnesota ($113.6m), Florida Charter Educational Foundation Inc ($114.6m) and Gulliver Preparatory School Inc ($113.5m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 7.1% and program service revenue 80% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $3.5m (3.2% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $46.0m. At year end it held assets of $566.0m against liabilities of $270.1m, net assets of $296.0m. It reported 989 employees.