Nonprofit · EIN 57-0314402
LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY
Tax-exempt · GAFFNEY, SC 29340
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $46,519,696 | $57,582,365 | -$11,062,669 | $49,593,089 | $35,825,842 | $13,767,247 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $47,034,818 | $52,980,898 | -$5,946,080 | $61,048,330 | $36,218,414 | $24,829,916 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $45,679,715 | $58,317,120 | -$12,637,405 | $73,143,263 | $40,696,776 | $32,446,487 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $1,487,417
- of which government grants
- $492,963
- Program service revenue
- $40,087,420
- Investment income
- $4,842,621
- Net rental income
- $102,238
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $4,725,290
- Other revenue
- $102,238
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $14,738,535
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $604,729
- Other salaries and wages
- $15,839,965
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $19,589,494
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $517,627
- Accounting fees
- $107,858
- Occupancy
- $2,085,766
- Travel
- $2,357,225
- Depreciation
- $2,475,000
- Program services (functional)
- $43,556,295
- Management and general (functional)
- $13,549,643
- Fundraising (functional)
- $476,427
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $61,048,330
- Total assets, end of year
- $49,593,089
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $35,825,842
- Net assets, end of year
- $13,767,247
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $43,713,803
- Publicly traded securities
- $1,681,569
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- -$6,923,347
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $20,690,594
- Gross receipts
- $46,519,696
- Employees
- 782
- Volunteers
- 12
- Year formed
- 1845
- State of legal domicile
- SC
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 June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATHAN COPELAND | PRESIDENT Officer | 40 | $245,469 | $11,753 |
| JEREMY WHITAKER | CFO Officer | 40 | $235,596 | $8,375 |
| STACY ALDRICH | VP FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Key employee | 40 | $222,773 | $8,084 |
| BRIAN AMELING | INTERIM PROVOST Highest-paid employee | 40 | $150,000 | $5,878 |
| DAVID SCOTT BELLAMY | DEAN Officer | 40 | $146,000 | $4,820 |
| JERICHO COTCHERY | FOOTBALL COACH Highest-paid employee | 40 | $131,667 | $0 |
| ANDREW ENGLISH | DIRECTOR INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $125,000 | $4,175 |
| TRAVIS MCDOWELL | VP OF ENROLLMENT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $121,193 | $4,605 |
| BRANDAN HARTMAN | CHIEF OF STAFF Highest-paid employee | 40 | $107,027 | $4,421 |
| RANDALL RICHARDSON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| LEE SOWELL | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JULIA BASS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN BAUER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| REED BROWN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| CROSSIE COX | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
17 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSAN HINES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| JULIE LOWRY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| DON PULLUM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| KRIS BONOCORE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| TREY STILL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| JOE SULLIVAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| MIKE DANIEL | BOARD MEMBER (THRU 4/1/25) Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| TONY FISHER | BOARD MEMBER (THRU 5/12/25) Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| GIGI HAMRICK | BOARD MEMBER (THRU 4/30/25) Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| RICK JIRAN | BOARD MEMBER (THRU 5/22/25) Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| RAHUL MEHRA | BOARD MEMBER (THRU 5/11/25) Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| CHELSEA MCCOY | BOARD MEMBER (THRU 5/12/25) Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| GENE MOORHEAD | BOARD MEMBER (THRU 5/29/25) Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| HARMONY NODA | BOARD MEMBER (THRU 4/2/25) Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| PHIL ORR | BOARD MEMBER (THRU 6/30/25) Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| TIERNEY ROLLINS | BOARD MEMBER (THRU 5/12/25) Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
| BRIAN RUSSELL | BOARD MEMBER (THRU 11/12/24) Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 40 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL FURREY | HEAD FOOTBALL COACH Key employee | 40 | $242,056 | $0 |
| MONICA BALOGA | PRESIDENT (THRU 9/9/2023) Officer | 40 | $220,164 | $5,863 |
| DAVID SCOTT BELLAMY | DEAN Key employee | 40 | $180,996 | $5,852 |
| JEREMY WHITAKER | INTERIM PRES & VP FINANCE Officer | 40 | $176,682 | $5,814 |
| AMBER WILLIAMS | ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $143,615 | $5,054 |
| PAUL LEFRANCOIS | DEAN Highest-paid employee | 40 | $136,862 | $4,069 |
| BRIAN AMELING | INTERIM PROVOST Highest-paid employee | 40 | $133,630 | $3,901 |
| MICHAEL SCHARFF | DEAN Highest-paid employee | 40 | $125,142 | $4,156 |
| ANDREW ENGLISH | DIR. INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $124,862 | $4,098 |
| RANDALL RICHARDSON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LEE SOWELL | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HALEY WILLIAMS | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL FLEMING | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JULES ANDERSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| JULIA BASS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN BAUER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| REED BROWN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| CROSSIE COX | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| MIKE DANIEL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| TONY FISHER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| GIGI HAMRICK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN HINES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN HONEYCUTT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| RICK JIRAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELLE JOLLY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| JULIE LOWRY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| RAHUL MEHRA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| CHELSEA MCCOY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| ANA MOSS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| GENE MOORHEAD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| HARMONY NODA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| PHIL ORR | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM PREVOST | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| DON PULLUM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID RIGGINS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| TIERNEY ROLLINS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN RUSSELL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| TREY STILL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| JOE SULLIVAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| NATHAN COPELAND | PRESIDENT (BEGAN 5/13/24) Officer | 40 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 37 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DARRELL PARKER | PRESIDENT (TERM 1/26/23) Officer | 40 | $336,667 | $32,492 |
| MONICA BALOGA | PROVOST Officer | 40 | $175,100 | $22,052 |
| REGGIE BROWNING | VP FINANCE & ADMIN (TERM 1/18/23) Officer | 40 | $165,160 | $14,027 |
| HUGH ROACH | DIRECTOR OF IT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $120,360 | $19,888 |
| AMBER WILLIAMS | ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $120,360 | $12,246 |
| MICHAEL CERINO | VP ATHLETICS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $110,175 | $16,770 |
| PAUL LEFRANCOIS | DEAN Highest-paid employee | 40 | $109,868 | $11,599 |
| DAVID RIGGINS | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TOMMY WINDSOR JR | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RANDALL RICHARDSON | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL FLEMING | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JULIUS ANDERSON JR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN BRYANT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL DANIEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID DORMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| TONY FISHER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| FRANKLIN FOSTER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| VIRGINIA HAMRICK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| LYMAN HAMRICK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL HOENIG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| J BRIAN HONEYCUTT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| RICK JIRAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELLE JOLLY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| JULIE LOWREY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| TOMMY MARTIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| RAHUL MEHRA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| VERA MITCHELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| HAROLD MOORE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| N EUGENE MOOREHEAD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| ANA MOSS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| HARMONY NODA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| PHIL ORR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| WILLIAM PULLUM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| TIERNEY ROLLINS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSEPH SULLIVAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHNATHAN WALLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
| HALEY WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.25 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1115 COLLEGE DR, GAFFNEY, SC 29340-3778
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- LEE SOWELL, 1115 COLLEGE DRIVE, GAFFNEY, SC 29340
- Signed the 990
- LEE SOWELL, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
- Phone
- (800) 795-7151
- Website
- WWW.LIMESTONE.EDU
- Return prepared by
- CHERRY BEKAERT ADVISORY LLC
Mission
ESTABLISHED IN 1845, LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY WAS A FOUR-YEAR LIBERAL ARTS INSTITUTION IN GAFFNEY, SC. DUE TO SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES VOTED ON APRIL 29, 2025 TO CLOSE THE COLLEGE, LETTING GO ALL EMPLOYEE AS OF MAY 31, 2025.
Program accomplishments
- LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY PROVIDED POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 2,150 FTE DEGREE-SEEKING STUDENTS, INCLUDING ACADEMIC/STUDENT SUPPORT AND AUXILIARY SERVICES.Expenses $43,556,295 · grants $14,738,535 · revenue $40,087,420
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 June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 57-0314402
- 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
- 1946
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B42Z)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $49,593,089
- Income (IRS master file)
- $46,519,696
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $46,519,696 | $57,582,365 | $49,593,089 | XML |
| 990 | June 2024 | $47,034,818 | $52,980,898 | $61,048,330 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2023 | $45,679,715 | $58,317,120 | $73,143,263 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $58,516,588 | $60,433,607 | $85,120,359 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 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 57-0314402).
Questions about LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY
- What is the EIN of LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY is 57-0314402.
- Is LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1946.
- Are donations to LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY 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 LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names LEE SOWELL.
- Who are the officers and directors of LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 32 people; 9 received compensation from the organization, the highest $245,469 (NATHAN COPELAND, PRESIDENT).
- How much revenue does LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $46,519,696, expenses of $57,582,365 and total assets of $49,593,089 at year end.
Other nonprofits in GAFFNEY
- CHEROKEE COUNTY CHARTER SCHOOL EIN 84-2787892 · last filed 990 for 2025
- GOUCHER CHARTER SCHOOL EIN 88-3019824 · last filed 990 for 2025
- THE FULLERTON FOUNDATION INC EIN 57-0847444 · last filed 990-PF for 2025
- CHEROKEE HISTORICAL AND PRESERVATION SOCIETY INC EIN 57-0881665 · last filed 990 for 2026
- PALMETTO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF GAFFN EIN 03-0414873 · last filed 990 for 2024
- GAFFNEY BANDS BOOSTER CLUB INC EIN 57-1076015 · last filed 990-EZ for 2025
- BOB PREVATTE EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC EIN 16-1766252 · last filed 990-EZ for 2025
- ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS EIN 93-2716993 · last filed 990-EZ for 2025