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Lesley University

EIN 04-2103589 · Cambridge, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak33 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LESLEY UNIVERSITY ENGAGES STUDENTS IN TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATION THROUGH ACTIVE LEARNING, SCHOLARLY RESEARCH, DIVERSE FORMS OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION, AND THE INTEGRATION OF RIGOROUS ACADEMICS WITH PRACTICAL, PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE, LEADING TO MEANINGFUL CAREERS AND CONTINUING LIFELONG LEARNING. LESLEY PREPARES SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE GRADUATES WITH THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, UNDERSTANDING AND ETHICAL JUDGMENT TO BE CATALYSTS SHAPING A MORE JUST, HUMANE, AND SUSTAINABLE WORLD.

Income
$99.4 million
Spending
$112.7 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 72%
Employees
1,293
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$698,282, president

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: 33 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 20 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or 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 (5)
  1. $28.5 million spent. EXPENSES RELATED TO INSTRUCTING FULL TIME AND PART TIME STUDENTS: THE UNIVERSITY IS HOME TO A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT CENTERS THAT CONDUCT RESEARCH, HELP SHAPE PUBLIC POLICY, AND PROVIDE CONTINUING EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF DISCIPLINES.THE INSTITUTION SERVES APPROXIMATELY 3,700 STUDENTS, INCLUDING UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION POPULATIONS. IT OFFERS MORE THAN 50 ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AND MAINTAINS AN ALUMNI NETWORK EXCEEDING 84,000 INDIVIDUALS, WITH ITS CAMPUS LOCATED IN CAMBRIDGE.LESLEY UNIVERSITY ACADEMICS:*UNDERGRADUATE STUDY:-COURSES + PROGRAMS IN CAMBRIDGE -ONLINE COURSES + PROGRAMS-COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN (LA+D)-LIBERAL ARTS & BUSINESS PROGRAMS-EDUCATION PROGRAMS-MENTAL HEALTH & WELL-BEING PROGRAMS*GRADUATE STUDY: -COURSES + PROGRAMS IN CAMBRIDGE AND MASSACHUSETTS-ONLINE COURSES + PROGRAMS- EDUCATION PROGRAMS- MENTAL HEALTH & WELL-BEING PROGRAMS- ART PROGRAMS*UNIQUE PROGRAM FORMATS *CENTERS*CONTINUING EDUCATION + PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT *THRESHOLD NON-DEGREE PROGRAM*ACCREDITATION: -NEW ENGLAND COMMISSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION-NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS OF ART AND DESIGN-THE BACCALAUREATE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IS ACCREDITED BY THE ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR BUSINESS SCHOOLS & PROGRAMS (ACBSP).-THE BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK (BSW) IS ACCREDITED BY THE COUNCIL ON SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION (CSWE).-THE MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK (MSW) IS ACCREDITED BY THE COUNCIL ON SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION (CSWE).-THE CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING: ART THERAPY IS ACCREDITED BY THE COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF ALLIED HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS (CAAHEP) UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR ART THERAPY EDUCATION (ACATE).-THE CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING: ART THERAPY PROGRAM IS APPROVED BY THE AMERICAN ART THERAPY ASSOCIATION.-THE CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING: DANCE THERAPY PROGRAM IS APPROVED BY THE AMERICAN DANCE THERAPY ASSOCIATION.-THE CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING: DRAMA THERAPY PROGRAM IS ACCREDITED BY THE NORTH AMERICAN DRAMA THERAPY ASSOCIATION.-THE CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING: MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM IS APPROVED BY THE AMERICAN MUSIC THERAPY ASSOCIATION
  2. $15.9 million spent. EXPENSES RELATED TO FINANCIAL AID FOR STUDENTS:THE PURPOSE OF FINANCIAL AID IS TO HELP STUDENTS ATTAIN THEIR GOAL OF A LESLEY UNIVERSITY EDUCATION, BY OFFERING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF GRANTS, LOANS, AND STUDENT WORK OPPORTUNITIES.
  3. $13.5 million spent. EXPENSES RELATED TO ACADEMIC SUPPORT WHICH INCLUDES THE EXPENSES FOR THE LIBRARY, DEAN OF STUDENTS, ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER ACADEMIC SUPPORT. ALSO, EXPENSES RELATED TO RESEARCH AND GENERAL INSTITUTIONAL OPERATIONS.
  4. $13.5 million spent. EXPENSES RELATED TO SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE STUDENT BODY, INCLUDING COUNSELING, CAREER GUIDANCE, ADMISSIONS, REGISTRAR, STUDENT ACTIVITIES, AND HEALTH SERVICES AS WELL AS EXPENSES RELATED TO ATHLETIC PROGRAMS.
  5. $13.7 million spent. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES AND PLANT OPERATIONS

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

  1. 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 September 7, 2026.

  2. 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 September 30, 2026.

  3. 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1965.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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 7, 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.