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Oglala Lakota College

EIN 23-7135915 · Kyle, SD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION WHICH EMANATES FROM THE CHARTER OF THE OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE IS TO EDUCATE STUDENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN LAKOTA COUNTRY. THE COLLEGE WILL GRADUATE WELL-ROUNDED STUDENTS GROUNDED IN WOLAKOLKICIYAPI-LEARNING LAKOTA WAYS OF LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY BY TEACHING LAKOTA CULTURE AND LANGUAGE AS PART OF PREPARING STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN A MULTICULTURAL WORLD. IN ACHIEVING THE MISSION, OGLALA LAKOTA COLLEGE HAS THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES: TRIBAL -PROVIDES THE LAKOTA WITH OUTSTANDING GRADUATES -PROMOTES THE STUDY AND PRACTICE OF TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY -WORKS WITH TRIBAL ENTITIES TOWARD BUILDING OUR NATION -HELPS STUDENTS TO GAIN MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLES CULTURAL -UTILIZES LAKOTA CULTURAL VALUES IN ALL LEARNING FRAMEWORKS -CELEBRATES LAKOTA CULTURE INCLUDING SACRED SONGS AND CEREMONIES -RESEARCH, STUDY, FACILITATE, AND DISSEMINATE LAKOTA LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND PHILOSOPHY -PROVIDES LEADERSHIP TO MAINTAIN AND REVITALIZE LAKOTA CULTURE AND P

Income
$44.3 million
Spending
$35.8 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
36.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 62%
Employees
475
Highest pay
$234,281, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 36.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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

    13 of 13 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 September 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. $21.5 million spent. OLC'S PRIMARY PROGRAM IS EDUCATION. PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY 1,250 STUDENTS WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR CERTIFICATES, ASSOCIATE, BACHELOR AND MASTER DEGREES IN A VARIETY OF FIELDS. RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES ARE ALSO PROVIDED AS PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM.
  2. $7.1 million spent. OLC'S GOAL FOR THE HEADSTART PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF LAKOTA CHILDREN FROM 0-5 AND THEIR FAMILIES ADDRESSING COGNITIVE,EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, NUTRITIONAL, MENTAL HEALTH, AND LAKOTA LANGUAGE AND CULTURE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN AND THE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS OF FAMILIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 1971.

    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.