Trustees of Mount Holyoke College
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O
- Income
- $242.2 million
- Spending
- $279.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- -0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 76%
- Employees
- 2,924
- Volunteers
- 812
- Highest pay
- $1.1 million, chief investment officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 18% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 36 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2526 of 28 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $185.1 million spent. INSTRUCTION, RESEARCH, ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND LIBRARY SERVICES: MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE ENROLLS APPROXIMATELY 2,200 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS WHO BENEFIT FROM SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION IN A DIVERSE COLLEGE COMMUNITY WITH A STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO OF 9 TO 1. MOUNT HOLYOKE'S 200+ ACCOMPLISHED FACULTY MEMBERS ARE INNOVATIVE TEACHERS DEDICATED TO THEIR STUDENTS. THEY ARE ALSO ACTIVE SCHOLARS, RESEARCH SCIENTISTS, AND CREATIVE ARTISTS PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR DISCIPLINES. THE COLLEGE OFFERS 40+ DEPARTMENTAL AND INTERDEPARTMENTAL MAJORS. THROUGH THE LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION, STUDENTS EXPLORE ART, LITERATURE, LANGUAGES, PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS, HISTORY, MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE RATHER THAN CHOOSING ONE SPECIALIZED TRACK OF STUDY. THE LIBERAL ARTS ALSO TRANSCEND THE CLASSROOM. STUDENTS GAIN A COMPLEX UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD IN WHICH THEY LIVE THROUGH INTERNSHIPS, STUDY ABROAD, COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING, VOLUNTEER WORK AND INDEPENDENT RESEARCH. IN ADDITION TO ITS UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM, THE COLLEGE, THROUGH ITS DIVISION OF PROFESSIONAL AND GRADUATE EDUCATION (PAGE), OFFERS A RANGE OF GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS, INSTITUTES, AND COURSES TO SUPPORT EMERGING LEADERS, SCIENTISTS AND EDUCATORS WHO WANT TO INCREASE THEIR SCOPE OF IMPACT IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS. AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE COLLEGE COMMUNITY, LIBRARY AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES FACILITATES THE CREATIVE USE OF INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY. IT SUPPORTS THE EDUCATIONAL PRIORITIES OF THE COLLEGE BY PROVIDING INSTRUCTION, MATERIALS, STAFF EXPERTISE AND EQUIPMENT TO SUSTAIN LEARNING, TEACHING, RESEARCH AND THE COLLEGE'S ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS.
- $38.9 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES AND RESIDENTIAL LIFE: THE DIVISION OF STUDENT LIFE CULTIVATES A DYNAMIC, ENGAGED AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY THAT ENRICHES THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE, PROMOTES WELLNESS AND BELONGING, AND SUPPORTS THE PURPOSEFUL DEVELOPMENT OF EVERY STUDENT. INCLUSION, COMPASSION, AND AUTHENTICITY ARE THE FOUNDATIONS OF MOUNT HOLYOKE'S RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM. TO THIS END, MOST RESIDENCE HALLS HOUSE MEMBERS OF ALL FOUR CLASSES ALONG WITH VIBRANT LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING A RESIDENCE HALL DEDICATED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE. THE COLLEGE'S RESIDENCE HALLS ARE UNIQUE IN DESIGN AND CHARACTER AND OFFER MANY CONFIGURATIONS AS WELL AS COMMON SPACES TO MEET THE DEVELOPING NEEDS OF STUDENTS. ALONG WITH BEING COMMITTED TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS, MOUNT HOLYOKE CARES ABOUT THE OVERALL WELL BEING OF STUDENTS. THE COLLEGE OFFERS A RANGE OF HEALTH, COUNSELING, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF ITS STUDENTS. THE OFFICE OF STUDENT INVOLVEMENT SUPPORTS MORE THAN 100 STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND PRESENTS A WIDE ARRAY OF CULTURAL, ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL EVENTS, IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP, SERVICE, AND ENGAGEMENT. THE OFFICE OF STUDENT INVOLVEMENT WORKS TO CREATE A VIBRANT AND INCLUSIVE CO-CURRICULAR CAMPUS LIFE THAT SUSTAINS MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE STUDENTS AS SCHOLARS, AND OFFERS THEM SKILLS FOR LEADING A BALANCED LIFE.
- $13.2 million spent. DINING SERVICES: AT MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE, DINING CONTINUES TO BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF A STUDENT'S EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. THE COLLEGE'S DINING COMMONS (DC), LOCATED WITHIN ITS COMMUNITY CENTER, IS A HUB OF STUDENT LIFE WHERE COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN CONVERSE, COLLABORATE, AND RELAX WITH ONE ANOTHER. THE DC, WHICH WAS NAMED A LEVEL 1 CERTIFIED GREEN RESTAURANT, FEATURES FIVE FOOD STATIONS THAT PROMOTE HEALTH, WELLNESS AND SUSTAINABILITY BY FOCUSING ON INTERNATIONAL CUISINE, VEGAN OPTIONS AND AVOIDING FOOD WITH ALLERGENS. FOR ITS VEGAN-FRIENDLY DINING, MOUNT HOLYOKE'S DINING SERVICES HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY PETA WITH AN "A" RATING, AND IS THE ONLY COLLEGE IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS TO EARN SUCH A HIGH GRADE. WITH SEATING IN SIX DISTINCTIVE DINING ROOMS, THE DC OFFERS STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT WITH ONE ANOTHER, AS WELL AS WITH MEMBERS OF THE ENTIRE CAMPUS COMMUNITY. THESE INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED SPACES PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH A STRONG FOUNDATION FROM WHICH TO IMAGINE AND ENVISION FUTURE POSSIBILITIES, BOTH CURRICULAR AND CO-CURRICULAR. THESE NEW SPACES NOT ONLY CONNECT STUDENTS TO EACH OTHER, BUT ALSO TO THE BEAUTY OF THE COLLEGE'S CAMPUS AND PROVIDE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREATIVE WORK, THUS MAINTAINING THE INTIMACY AND PURPOSE OF THE MOUNT HOLYOKE COMMUNITY DINING EXPERIENCE. DINING SERVICES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL COMMUNITY CENTER CASH OPERATIONS, VENDING, A BAKERY, AND A WAREHOUSE. THE QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED CULINARY PRODUCTION AND SERVICE STAFF ARE DEDICATED TO PROVIDING FRESH, NUTRITIOUS, WELL-PREPARED FOODS AND OFFERING DIVERSE AND EXTENSIVE MENU OPTIONS FOR THE ENTIRE MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE COMMUNITY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1942.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.