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Colleges of the Fenway Inc

EIN 11-3682703 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A COLLABORATIVE OF FIVE NEIGHBORING BOSTON-BASED COLLEGES CREATED TO ADD VALUE TO STUDENT ACADEMIC AND CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES WHILE SEEKING INNOVATIVE METHODS OF INVESTING IN SERVICES AND CONTAINING THE COSTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$3.6 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
70
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$264,809, executive director

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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 79% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs.

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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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. $1.2 million spent. OPERATIONS AND COLLABORATIVE SERVICES/COFAN-SEE ATTACHED DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
  2. $719,312 spent. ACADEMIC PROGRAMS-SEE ATTACHED DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
  3. $406,111 spent. STUDENT ACTIVITIES, RESIDENTIAL LIFE, INTRAMAURALS, AND ADMISSIONS-SEE ATTACHED DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
  4. PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE FOR HUMAN RESOURCES THAT ENHANCES THE ENVIRONMENT FOR FACULTY AND STAFF, FINDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS, REDUCING COSTS THROUGH JOINT CONTRACTS, INCREASING THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE COLLEGES AS EMPLOYERS, IN ORDER TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN A STRONG WORKFORCE
  5. $310,962 spent. PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ADMINISTRATIVE SALARIES AND BENEFITS, HR AND ACCOUNTING SUPPORT, INSURANCE, OFFICE SUPPLIES, TRAVEL, CONFERENCES AND MEALS..

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 May 2003.

    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.