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Nonprofiteer
← WGU ACADEMY

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by WGU ACADEMY.

Totals

Total revenue
$16,297,273
Total expenses
$16,232,878
Contributions and grants received
$10,716,862
Grants paid
$139,694
Program service revenue
$5,579,182
Investment income
$1,229
Other revenue
$0
Total assets, end of year
$0
Total liabilities, end of year
$0
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$0
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$14,100,932
Management and general expenses
$2,008,257
Fundraising expenses
$123,689
Program service expenses (Part III)
$14,100,932

Program services were 86.9% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1d · Related organizations

    $10,532,589

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $184,273

  • 2a · Program service revenue: GROSS PROGRAM TUITION AND FEES - WGU ACADEMY

    total $3,660,019 · related or exempt $3,660,019

  • 2b · Program service revenue: SERVICE FEES FROM WGU

    total $1,919,163 · related or exempt $1,919,163

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $2,431 · excluded $2,431

  • 4 · Income from investment of tax-exempt bond proceeds

    total $0

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $0

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $0 · personal property $0

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $0

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    other assets $1,202

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    other assets -$1,202

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$1,202 · excluded -$1,202

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $0

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $0

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $0

  • 9a · Gaming: gross income

    $0

  • 9b · Gaming: direct expenses

    $0

  • 9c · Net income from gaming

    total $0

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $0

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $0

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $0

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $0

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $0

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $139,694 · program services $139,694

  • 3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

    total $0

  • 4 · Benefits paid to or for members

    total $0

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $886,588 · program services $586,851 · management and general $260,785 · fundraising $38,952

  • 6 · Compensation of disqualified persons

    total $0

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $6,707,998 · program services $6,329,585 · management and general $322,564 · fundraising $55,849

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $323,949 · program services $307,612 · management and general $13,885 · fundraising $2,452

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $978,006 · program services $938,427 · management and general $33,407 · fundraising $6,172

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $479,881 · program services $453,631 · management and general $22,359 · fundraising $3,891

  • 11a · Fees: management

    total $19,607 · management and general $19,607

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $169,701 · management and general $169,701

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $56,471 · management and general $56,471

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $0

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $0

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $0

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $3,815,379 · program services $2,790,998 · management and general $1,023,269 · fundraising $1,112

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $872,346 · program services $872,346

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $216,308 · program services $202,393 · management and general $12,948 · fundraising $967

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $1,003,732 · program services $955,643 · management and general $42,398 · fundraising $5,691

  • 15 · Royalties

    total $0

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $0

  • 17 · Travel

    total $221,771 · program services $199,594 · management and general $15,524 · fundraising $6,653

  • 18 · Travel or entertainment for public officials

    total $0

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $14,654 · program services $13,245 · management and general $1,375 · fundraising $34

  • 20 · Interest

    total $0

  • 21 · Payments to affiliates

    total $0

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $280,632 · program services $266,200 · management and general $12,723 · fundraising $1,709

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $17,151 · program services $15,703 · management and general $1,241 · fundraising $207

  • 24a · Other expenses: BAD DEBT EXPENSES

    total $3,050 · program services $3,050

  • 24b · Other expenses: MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES

    total $25,960 · program services $25,960

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $127,227 · end of year $0

  • 5 · Loans and receivables from officers and key people

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 6 · Loans and receivables from disqualified persons

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 7 · Other notes and loans receivable

    beginning of year $431,181 · end of year $0

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $105,774 · end of year $0

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $850,103 · end of year $0

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $56,472 · end of year $0

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 13 · Investments: program-related

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $907,799 · end of year $0

  • 18 · Grants payable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $341,926 · end of year $0

  • 20 · Tax-exempt bond liabilities

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 21 · Escrow or custodial account liability

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 22 · Loans and payables to officers and key people

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 24 · Unsecured notes and loans payable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $321,032 · end of year $0

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

SUPPORT THE EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE PURPOSES OF EDUCATIONAL ENTITIES BY ENGAGING IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND OFFERING PROGRAMS AND COURSES TO IMPROVE READINESS FOR AND SUCCESS IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION.

Activities or mission (Part I)

SCHEDULE O

  • WGU Academy (Academy) began operations as a separate entity In January 2021. After building and launching its own learning platform in FY23, Academy created and launched 15 individual general education "onramp" courses to prepare students for academic success in credential programs, and 8 new certificate programs to prepare students for entry-level roles in high-demand jobs like business leadership, front-end web development, and digital marketing. These programs grew to serve over 9,000 students in FY23 and over 15,000 students in FY24.

    Expenses $14,100,932 · Grants $139,694 · Revenue $5,579,182

As filed on the 2023 return.

Listed in Part VII

  • Scott Pulsipher

    Director

    Total calculated
    $2,268,117
    From this org
    $0
    From related orgs
    $2,205,837
    Other
    $62,280
    Hours/week
    1 + 44 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    not reported + $804,934 related
    Bonus
    not reported + $650,000 related
    Other
    not reported + $750,903 related
    Deferred
    not reported + $30,000 related
    Nontaxable benefits
    not reported + $32,280 related
    Filer's total
    not reported + $2,268,117 related

  • Chris Lee

    President

    Total calculated
    $474,676
    From this org
    $411,646
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $63,030
    Hours/week
    41

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $335,496
    Bonus
    $76,150
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $30,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $33,030
    Filer's total
    $474,676

  • Curt Defriez

    Treasurer

    Total calculated
    $316,207
    From this org
    $0
    From related orgs
    $263,400
    Other
    $52,807
    Hours/week
    2 + 40 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    not reported + $226,865 related
    Bonus
    not reported + $36,535 related
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    not reported + $26,000 related
    Nontaxable benefits
    not reported + $26,807 related
    Filer's total
    not reported + $316,207 related

  • Chelsea Barnett

    VP - Product and Programs

    Total calculated
    $247,847
    From this org
    $230,120
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,727
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $208,580
    Bonus
    $21,540
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $17,727
    Nontaxable benefits
    not reported
    Filer's total
    $247,847

  • Yashima White Azilove

    Senior Director. Business Dev.

    Total calculated
    $191,969
    From this org
    $180,190
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,779
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $170,180
    Bonus
    $10,010
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    not reported
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,779
    Filer's total
    $191,969

  • Reshma Gouravajhala

    Sr.Manager Research & Analytic

    Total calculated
    $179,831
    From this org
    $149,120
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $30,711
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $146,870
    Bonus
    $2,250
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $11,570
    Nontaxable benefits
    $19,141
    Filer's total
    $179,831

  • Rachael Marangu

    Manager, Product Strategy

    Total calculated
    $170,988
    From this org
    $161,354
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $9,634
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $155,604
    Bonus
    $5,750
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $9,634
    Nontaxable benefits
    not reported
    Filer's total
    $170,988

  • Bonnie Budd

    Sr. Manager, Design & Dev.

    Total calculated
    $120,534
    From this org
    $120,534
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • Tammy Johns Until 10723

    Director (Chair)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 2 related

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Assets distributed on this return

Schedule N, as filed: what the organization did with its assets when it liquidated or dissolved, or disposed of more than a quarter of them, and who received them. A recipient with an EIN is usually a successor organization; filers also list expenses such as legal fees here.

5 distributions to recipients named as people, $2,193,565 in total. Counted where the filer named the recipient as a person, as filed. Who received them, and what, are not published.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
30 April 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202531209349303263

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

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