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Passes our checks

Bard College Berlin a Liberal Arts University Ggmbh

EIN 32-0105791 · Annandale, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak29 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

BARD COLLEGE BERLIN (BCB) WAS FORMED TO BE A MODEL FOR CHANGE IN EUROPEAN EDUCATION BY PROVIDING A LIBERAL ARTS ALTERNATIVE. IT IS ALSO INSPIRED BY THE IDEAL OF PROVIDING AN IN-DEPTH INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

Income
$15.6 million
Spending
$17.3 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
-11.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 71%
Employees
154
Volunteers
23
Highest pay
$689,293, president/trustee

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: 29 out of 100. Higher than 3% 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

    0 of 20

    It owes 112% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

    21 of 25 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 (1)
  1. $14.9 million spent. BCB'S TEACHING MODEL IS THE ANGLO-AMERICAN LIBERAL ARTS EXPERIENCE, WITH CLOSE INTERACTION BETWEEN STUDENTS AND FACULTY. IT PROVIDES AN INTERDISCIPLINARY CURRICULUM BASED UPON THE EUROPEAN TRADITION AND ENCOURAGES PERSONAL THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION THROUGH AN EMPHASIS ON WRITING. THE DEAN OVERSEES BCB'S ACADEMIC FUNCTIONS IN COLLABORATION WITH AN INTERNATIONAL FACULTY. THE MANAGING DIRECTORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OPERATIONS, PERSONNEL, AND FINANCES. CLOSE COLLABORATION EXISTS BETWEEN THE GERMAN CAMPUS AND BARD COLLEGE (NY), ESPECIALLY ACROSS ACADEMIC, FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT, AND BOARD RESPONSIBILITY. STUDENTS MAY EARN A FULLY ACCREDITED EUROPEAN DEGREE AND A DUAL DEGREE THROUGH BARD'S US ACCREDITED DEGREE.

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 October 2004.

    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.