Business - Higher Education Forum

What it reported doing in 2024

Number 4: funded by the trellis foundation, the workforce partnership initiative -Texas (wpi-Texas) boosts employercommunity college partnerships in Texas to co-develop industry-aligned talent pathways in high-demand fields. Implemented in partnership with the business roundtable and the Texas business leadership council, wpitexas provides technical assistance and tools to strengthen institutional capacity to partner with industry, advance short-term credentials of value, expand work-based learning opportunities, and scale partnership models that improve access to talent and workforce outcomes.number 5: funded by ellucian our report gathers intelligence from employers to identify the emerging skills and partnership models that are needed to drive closer alignment across curriculum and talent pipelines. Released in the form of a publicly available report, "forging partnerships to align education and industry for the workforce of tomorrow," this resource shares data insights and actionable examples to enable higher education pathways to be developed to better align to industry needs. Number 6: funded by the ecmc foundation, bhef's faculty innovation fellowship prepares faculty as change agents to advance employer-aligned education and talent pathways to student success. The program provides cohort-based training in change management, leadership, and employer engagement to support the design and implementation of industry-aligned programs. Capstone projects focus on program, course, and research innovations that strengthen alignment with workforce needs, build institutional capacity, and improve student outcomes.number 7: general operating support from the strada education foundation enabled bhef to strengthen organizational capacity, expand its national network, and advance work-integrated learning (wil) initiatives. The funding supported the development of tools and resources to help employers and higher education institutions scale high-quality wil programs, convene cross-sector leaders, and increase visibility and engagement. This investment strengthened bhef's role as an intermediary connecting education and industry and expanded access to work-based learning opportunities that improve workforce outcomes.number 8: bhef provided technical assistance to computing for all under the Washington jobs initiative to advance pathways into high-demand technology careers. Bhef supports strategies to address it workforce needs, engages employers to define skills and competencies for roles impacted by artificial intelligence, and facilitates coordination across education, industry, and workforce partnersnumber 9. Bhef was the fiscal sponsor for the national pathways institute convening. This event brought together leaders from business, education, philanthropy and government to convene and advance progress on matters core to bhe's mission: transforming education models to better prepare all students for successful careers in our rapidly evolving economy and keeping pace with modern workforce demands.conferences: bhef conducts semi-annual convenings to catalyze dialogue and action between its corporate and academic network and foundation and strategic partners on issues related to business talent needs, workforce development, and higher education innovation to meet these needs. Policymakers from state and federal governments are often invited to participate in these discussions. Academic, business, and philanthropic leaders at the cutting-edge of technologies and educational programming participate. Many give presentations on successful local educational efforts that may be applicable on a broader regional or national scale. Bhef also hosts virtual and in-person convenings on ai, work-based learning and other topics at the intersection of business and higher education.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 51.8%; rating input score 52
• Program expense ratio: 54.7%; rating input score 55
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 78
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Fail
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 5.9%; rating input score 53; 53rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.63; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.74; rating input score 12; 12th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 50.8%; rating input score 1; 1st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -3.5% per year; rating input score 0; 7th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.3% per year; rating input score 100; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 1.5% per year; rating input score 100; 18th percentile among comparable filings