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College of Our Lady of the Elms

EIN 04-2225850 · Chicopee, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE COLLEGE OF OUR LADY OF THE ELMS, A CATHOLIC COLLEGE, EDUCATES A DIVERSE GROUP OF STUDENTS IN A SUPPORTIVE, VIBRANT LEARNING COMMUNITY. COMBINING A LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION WITH PROFESSIONAL STUDIES, ELMS COLLEGE EMPOWERS STUDENTS TO EFFECT POSITIVE CHANGES IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN THE WORLD. AFFIRMING THE FOUNDING TRADITION OF THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH, ELMS COLLEGE CHALLENGES STUDENTS TO EMBRACE CHANGE WITHOUT COMPROMISING PRINCIPLE, TO RESPOND CREATIVELY TO THE DEMANDS OF THEIR CHOSEN CAREERS, AND TO ADVOCATE FOR PEOPLE IN NEED. ELMS COLLEGE IS A COMMUNITY ROOTED IN FAITH, EDUCATED IN MIND, COMPASSIONATE IN HEART, AND RESPONSIVE TO CIVIC AND SOCIAL OBLIGATIONS.

Income
$45.5 million
Spending
$49.4 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 89%
Employees
660
Volunteers
70
Highest pay
$443,764, 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: 49 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 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. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    31 of 34 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 (2)
  1. $36.0 million spent. THE COLLEGE IS DEVOTED TO EDUCATING STUDENTS IN A SUPPORTED, VIBRANT LEARNING COMMUNITY AND HAS ADAPTED TO CHANGING TIMES BY DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO PREPARE THEM FOR LEADERSHIP IN A WIDE VARIETY OF FIELDS. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED IN SEVEN DIFFERENT SESSIONS. DURING THE 2024/2025 SCHOOL YEAR, WE SERVED 1,633 FULL AND PART TIME STUDENTS.
  2. $1.4 million spent. AUXILIARY SERVICES INCLUDE CAFETERIA, HEALTH CENTER, AND OTHER FACILITIES PROVIDED FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE STUDENTS, FACULTY, ADJUNCT, AND STAFF. DURING THE YEAR 2,103 PEOPLE WERE SERVED.

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? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 March 1946.

    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.