DRAKE UNIVERSITY
Mission Statement
The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center provides character and leadership development strategies to improve civility and develop ethical leaders throughout the world. Through public awareness and programming grounded in research, The Ray Center features two programs, CHARACTER COUNTS! and Excellence with Integrity. Our initiatives benefit people of all ages and are easily adaptable for families, schools, workplaces, and athletic teams and organizations. The Ray Center honors two of Drake’s most respected alumni—Robert D. and Billie Ray—whose humanitarian efforts, character and leadership set an inspirational example for multiple generations.
Financial Overview — FY 2025
Compared with Peers
FY 2025| Ratio | This org | Peer median | Position (P10 → P90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Program expense ratio
Program expenses / total expenses
· higher is better
|
90.0% | 87.7% |
P10P90
|
Above median |
|
Admin expense ratio
Management and general / total expenses
· lower is better
|
8.6% | 10.5% |
P10P90
|
Above median |
|
Fundraising expense ratio
Fundraising expenses / total expenses
· lower is better
|
1.4% | 1.3% |
P10P90
|
Below median |
|
Fundraising efficiency
Fundraising expenses / gross fundraising income
· lower is better
|
2136.5% | 4180.7% |
P10P90
|
Above median |
|
Operating reserve
Months of expenses covered by net assets
· higher is better
|
26.8 mo | 20.9 mo |
P10P90
|
Above median |
|
Liabilities to assets
Total liabilities / total assets
· lower is better
|
12.6% | 26.1% |
P10P90
|
Top quarter |
|
Revenue concentration
Share of revenue from the largest source
· lower is better
|
73.1% | 82.9% |
P10P90
|
Top quarter |
|
Revenue growth
Year over year revenue growth
|
-2.6% | 6.6% |
P10P90
|
|
|
Expense growth
Year over year expense growth
|
-1.7% | 4.7% |
P10P90
|
|
|
Surplus margin
Surplus as a share of revenue
|
3.9% | 3.6% |
P10P90
|
Financial History
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Net Assets | Program % | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $256.3M | $246.3M | $549.4M | 90.0% | 2821 |
| 2024 | $263.1M | $250.5M | $521.5M | 89.7% | 2898 |
| 2023 | $259.1M | $246.3M | $477.6M | 83.4% | 2984 |
| 2022 | $253.0M | $238.0M | $443.9M | 93.1% | 2852 |
| 2021 | $245.4M | $218.0M | N/A | — | 2973 |
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