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Telluride Association Inc

EIN 16-0870219 · Ithaca, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT HIGHER EDUCATION

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$3.9 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 91%
Employees
45
Volunteers
67
Highest pay
$160,764, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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

    65 of 65 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 May 31, 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)
  1. $1.8 million spent. HOUSES AT CORNELL AND MICHIGAN UNIVERSITIES - RESIDENCES FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED AS FULL-TIME STUDENTS AND 2-3 FACULTY MEMBERS.CORNELL - CURRENT HOUSEMEMBERS ARE BOTH UNDERGRADUATES AND GRADUATES ENROLLED AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY AND STUDY A FULL RANGE OF DISCIPLINES. MEMBERS OF CORNELL FACULTY ALSO LIVE AT THE HOUSE. THIS SETTING PROVIDES AN UNUSUALLY RICH AND INTENSE ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE. THE HOUSE ENCOURAGES THIS THROUGH FORMAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS A PUBLIC SPEAKING PROGRAM, SEMINARS LED BY MEMBERS OR GUEST PROFESSORS, AND FACULTY RECEPTIONS. MUCH OF THE HOUSE'S SPECIAL IMPACT OCCURS INFORMALLY IN DAILY LIFE. STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM EXPOSURE TO IDEAS FROM A WIDE RANGE OF DISCIPLINES, SHARE IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF RIGOROUS INTELLECTUAL EXCHANGE, AND DRAW ON EACH OTHER FOR ADVICE, SUPPORT, AND INSPIRATION.MICHIGAN - TELLURIDE HOUSE OFFERS FULL ROOM AND BOARD SCHOLARSHIPS TO TWENTY TO THIRTY UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS WITH A VARIETY OF ACADEMIC BACKGROUNDS, POLITICAL VIEWS, AND CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES. THESE STUDENTS FORM A VIBRANT COMMUNITY, SHARING LIVELY CONVERSATION, JOINT PROJECTS, AND THE DYNAMIC EXPERIENCE OF DEMOCRATIC LIFE. EACH YEAR, TELLURIDE STUDENTS PLAN AND IMPLEMENT A MAJOR PROJECT THAT IMPROVES PUBLIC LIFE IN THE ANN ARBOR AREA.
  2. $787,665 spent. THE TELLURIDE ASSOCIATION SOPHOMORE SEMINAR (TASS) OFFERS BRIGHT, MOTIVATED HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORES CHALLENGING SIX-WEEK COLLEGE LEVEL COURSES IN HUMANITIES TOPICS. WE WORK WITH UNIVERSITY FACULTY TO CREATE EXCITING COURSES DESIGNED TO INSPIRE YOUNG PEOPLE TO LEARN CRITICAL THINKING, COMMUNITY-BUILDING, AND SELF-GOVERNANCE. BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT ALL STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE THEIR IDEALS, WE COVER ALL PROGRAM COSTS, INCLUDING TUITION, ROOM & BOARD, FIELD TRIPS, AND FACILITIES FEES. STUDENTS WITH FINANCIAL NEED MAY APPLY FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WITH TRAVEL COSTS AND A SUBSIDY TO REPLACE SUMMER EARNINGS.
  3. $23,800 spent. TELLURIDE ASSOCIATION SPONSORS A VARIETY OF AWARDS FOR STUDENTS AT MANY STAGES OF THEIR ACADEMIC CAREERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 May 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 June 1951.

    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.