Nonprofit · EIN 58-2624570
SHORTER UNIVERSITY INC
Tax-exempt · ROME, GA 30165
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 2025 | 990 | $35,826,070 | $36,882,316 | -$1,056,246 | $61,746,392 | $15,872,401 | $45,873,991 |
| May 31, 2024 | 990 | $42,563,904 | $38,434,856 | $4,129,048 | $62,896,123 | $16,167,053 | $46,729,070 |
| May 31, 2023 | 990 | $39,445,998 | $37,633,728 | $1,812,270 | $59,136,687 | $16,897,181 | $42,239,506 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended May 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $4,239,777
- of which government grants
- $221,037
- Program service revenue
- $30,741,124
- Investment income
- $916,986
- Net rental income
- $300
- Net gain from sales of assets
- -$5,928
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$72,117
- Other revenue
- -$71,817
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $12,687,120
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $346,947
- Other salaries and wages
- $10,759,829
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $13,251,638
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $20,984
- Accounting fees
- $152,657
- Occupancy
- $1,213,389
- Travel
- $676,722
- Depreciation
- $1,644,297
- Program services (functional)
- $28,722,490
- Management and general (functional)
- $7,864,908
- Fundraising (functional)
- $294,918
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $62,896,123
- Total assets, end of year
- $61,746,392
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $15,872,401
- Net assets, end of year
- $45,873,991
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $35,233,081
- Publicly traded securities
- $17,137,263
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $31,468,968
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $14,405,023
- Gross receipts
- $36,562,057
- Employees
- 436
- Volunteers
- 43
- Year formed
- 1873
- State of legal domicile
- GA
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended May 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR DONALD V DOWLESS | PRESIDENT Officer | 60 | $179,346 | $26,175 |
| MICHELLE STRICKLIN | VP OF FINANCE, CFO Officer | 60 | $124,510 | $14,543 |
| DR JOHN REAMS | PROVOST Highest-paid employee | 40 | $102,553 | $29,970 |
| DR BEN BRUCE | VP OF ADVANCEMENT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $105,540 | $1,037 |
| RANDY BOWEN | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRYAN RICE | BOARD VICE-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JERRY EMERSON | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR THOMAS HAMMOND | EX OFFICIO MEMBER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| REV BEN SMITH | CHAIR OF FINANCE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHASE CAMP | TRUSTEE/MAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| REV KEITH MOORE | TRUSTEE/MAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| REV BRIAN CARROLL | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CAREY STRANGE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID WHITENER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR JOE TANNER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
28 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN HATCHER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MRS JULIANNA ROGERS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KEN GUICE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| REV MATTHEW BOWDEN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MRS MICHELLE SABOU | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| REV MIKE HARDY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RUSS BROWN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DR STACY DYER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DR STEVE PARR | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TIM BROWN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| REV RANDO ACRES | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DR DANNY COCHRAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MR WILLIAM FRICKS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| REV MICAH HAMRIC | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MRS SHEILA LAWLER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DR PHILIP MAY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MR GREG POLLEY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MR TODD SHOOK | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MR DEREK SPAIN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CHRIS COWART | TRUSTEE/MAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (PART YEAR) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CLIFF DUREN | TRUSTEE (PART YEAR) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LAMAR PINSON | TRUSTEE (PART YEAR) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LARRY MAXEY | TRUSTEE (PART YEAR) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RANDALL FARRELL | TRUSTEE (PART YEAR) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| REV BARRY PEPPERS | TRUSTEE (PART YEAR) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| REV JASON BRITT | TRUSTEE (PART YEAR) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| REV JOHN PRICE | TRUSTEE (PART YEAR) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| WAYNE ANGEL | TRUSTEE/MAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (PART YEAR) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended May 31, 2024: 43 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Donald V Dowless | President Officer | 60 | $180,334 | $24,982 |
| Michelle Stricklin | VP of Finance, CFO Officer | 60 | $122,457 | $12,850 |
| Dr John Reams | Provost Highest-paid employee | 40 | $103,122 | $29,880 |
| Dr Ben Bruce | VP of Advancement Highest-paid employee | 40 | $106,623 | $876 |
| Bryan Rice | Board Vice-Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Dr Danny Cochran | Secretary (Part Year)/Trustee (Part Year) Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Dr Thomas Hammond | Ex Officio Member Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Jerry Emerson | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Randy Bowen | Chairman Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Amy Patterson | Trustee (Part Year) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Carey Strange | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Chase Camp | Trustee/MAL Executive Committee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Cheryl Cox | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Chris Cowart | Trustee/MAL Executive Committee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Cliff Duren | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| David Whitener | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Dr Joe Tanner | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Dr Keith McBroom | Trustee/MAL Executive Committee (Part Year) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Dr Stacy Dyer | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Dr Stephen Anthony | Trustee (Part Year) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Dr Steve Parr | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Greg Polley | Trustee (Part Year) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| John Hatcher | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Ken Guice | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Lamar Pinson | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Larry Maxey | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Lilianna Lewis | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Mrs Julianna Rogers | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Mrs Michelle Sabou | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Randall Farrell | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rev Barry Peppers | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rev Ben Smith | Chair of Finance Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rev Brian Carroll | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rev Jason Britt | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rev Jon Price | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rev Keith Moore | Trustee/MAL Executive Committee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rev Matthew Bowden | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rev Mike Hardy | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rick Ferrin | Trustee (Part Year) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Russ Brown | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Ted Fuller | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Tim Brown | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Wayne Angel | Trustee/MAL Executive Committee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended May 31, 2023: 41 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Donald Dowless | President Officer | 60 | $181,812 | $26,417 |
| Dr John Reams | Provost Highest-paid employee | 40 | $100,322 | $29,315 |
| Michelle Stricklin | VP of Finance, CFO Officer | 60 | $113,403 | $11,888 |
| Dr Ben Bruce | VP of Advancement Highest-paid employee | 40 | $104,244 | $8,163 |
| Bryan Rice | Board Vice-Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Dr Danny Cochran | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Dr Thomas Hammond | Ex Officio Member Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Randy Bowen | Chairman Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| William Fricks | Board Chair (part year) Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Amy Patterson | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Chase Camp | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Cheryl Cox | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Chris Cowart | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Cliff Duren | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Dr Gerald Harris | Trustee (part year) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Dr Joe Tanner | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Dr Keith McBroom | Trustee (part year) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Dr Stacy Dyer | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Dr Stephen Anthony | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Dr Steve Parr | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Greg Polley | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Jerry Emerson | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| John Hatcher | Trustee (part year) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Lamar Pinson | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Larry Maxey | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Lilianna Lewis | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Lindsey Rainey | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Randall Farrell | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rev Barry Peppers | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rev Ben Smith | Chair of Finance Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rev Brian Carroll | Trustee (part year) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rev Drew Startup | Trustee (part year) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rev Jason Britt | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rev Jon Price | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rev Keith Moore | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rev Mike Hardy | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Rick Ferrin | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Russ Brown | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Ted Fuller | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Wanda Levan | Trustee (part year) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Wayne Angel | Trustee Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 315 SHORTER AVE SW, ROME, GA 30165-4267
- In care of
- % DR DONALD DOWLESS
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- DR DONALD V DOWLESS, 315 SHORTER AVENUE, ROME, GA 301654267
- Signed the 990
- MICHELLE STRICKLIN, VP OF FINANCE, CFO
- Phone
- (706) 291-2121
- Website
- WWW.SHORTER.EDU
- Return prepared by
- CRI CAPIN CROUSE ADVISORS LLC
Mission
ADVANCING GOD'S KINGDOM THROUGH A COMMITMENT TO ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, SPIRITUAL GROWTH, CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP, AND GLOBAL SERVICE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW.
Program accomplishments
- INSTRUCTIONAL - FUNDS EXPENDED FOR INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES IN ASSOCIATE, BACHELOR, AND MASTER DEGREE PROGRAMS. ENROLLMENT IN 2024-2025 INCLUDED 1490 STUDENTS.SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL AID - COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INCLUDES SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, LOANS AND PART-TIME CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT. EVERY STUDENT ENROLLED FULL-TIME AT SHORTER UNIVERSITY RECEIVES SOME FORM OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.Expenses $18,832,608 · grants $12,687,120 · revenue $24,789,579
- STUDENT SUPPORT - FUNDS EXPENDED FOR ACTIVITIES CONTRIBUTING TO STUDENTS' WELL BEING AND INTELLECTUAL, CULTURAL, AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OUTSIDE OF FORMAL INSTRUCTION.Expenses $6,094,829 · revenue $5,065,562
- ACADEMIC SUPPORT - EXPENDITURES INTEGRAL TO THE OPERATION AND SUPPORT OF THE ACADEMIC SERVICES OF THE UNIVERSITY.AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES - EXPENDITURES TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO STUDENT, FACULTY, AND STAFF INCLUDING HOUSING, CAFETERIA, AND BOOKSTORE.Expenses $3,795,053 · revenue $885,983
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in May, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 31, 2026 | October 15, 2026 | Not on file |
| 2024 | May 31, 2025 | October 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | May 31, 2024 | October 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 58-2624570
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- School
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2001
- Accounting year ends
- May
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B11)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $61,746,392
- Income (IRS master file)
- $36,562,057
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | May 2025 | $35,826,070 | $36,882,316 | $61,746,392 | XML |
| 990 | May 2024 | $42,563,904 | $38,434,856 | $62,896,123 | XML |
| 990 | May 2023 | $39,445,998 | $37,633,728 | $59,136,687 | XML |
| 990 | May 2022 | $39,807,545 | $38,857,941 | $57,209,537 | IRS |
| 990 | May 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | May 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | May 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | May 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 58-2624570).
Questions about SHORTER UNIVERSITY INC
- What is the EIN of SHORTER UNIVERSITY INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of SHORTER UNIVERSITY INC is 58-2624570.
- Is SHORTER UNIVERSITY INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2001.
- Are donations to SHORTER UNIVERSITY INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does SHORTER UNIVERSITY INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of SHORTER UNIVERSITY INC due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending May 31, 2026) is due October 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did SHORTER UNIVERSITY INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended May 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of SHORTER UNIVERSITY INC?
- The 990 for the year ended May 31, 2025 names DR DONALD V DOWLESS.
- Who are the officers and directors of SHORTER UNIVERSITY INC?
- The 990 for the year ended May 31, 2025 lists 43 people; 4 received compensation from the organization, the highest $179,346 (DR DONALD V DOWLESS, PRESIDENT).
- How much revenue does SHORTER UNIVERSITY INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended May 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $35,826,070, expenses of $36,882,316 and total assets of $61,746,392 at year end.
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