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Paul Smiths College of Arts and Sciences

EIN 15-0533545 · Paul Smiths, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HIGHER EDUCATION: "THE REAL VALUE OF A PSC EDUCATION IS IN THE EMPHASIS ON NOT JUST LEARNING SOMETHING, BUT IN ACTUALLY DOING IT." THE PAUL SMITH'S COLLEGE COMMUNITY PROVIDES A DYNAMIC EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT WHICH ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO BE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THEIR OWN LEARNING EXPERIENCE BY FOSTERING CREATIVE, ETHICAL AND INTELLECTUAL GROWTH.

Income
$41.8 million
Spending
$43.0 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
-1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 66%
Employees
634
Volunteers
125
Highest pay
$238,639, president/ce

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: 54 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

    16 of 17 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. $32.6 million spent. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, GENERAL/OTHER: INSTRUCTION - TO PROVIDE HIGHER EDUCATION TO MEN AND WOMEN IN THE ARTS AND SCIENCES, WITH AUTHORITY TO CONFER THE DEGREES OF ASSOCIATES IN ARTS (AA), ASSOCIATES IN APPLIED SCIENCE (AAS) AND BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (BS) IN CONFORMITY WITH THE REGENTS OF NYS AND THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION. APPROXIMATELY 600 STUDENTS.
  2. $8.6 million spent. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, GENERAL/OTHER: AUXILLIARY ENTERPRISES - THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE RESIDENCE HALLS, CAFETERIA AND CAMPUS STORE THAT SERVE THE STUDENTS.

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1946.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.