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Passes our checks

Holy Cross College Inc

EIN 35-1148835 · Notre Dame, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Holy Cross College is a Catholic, residential liberal arts college located in Notre Dame, Indiana and is part of a tri campus community that includes the University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary's College. The College was founded in 1966 by the Brothers of Holy Cross and offers both associate and bachelors degrees, including an intensive three year bachelors program. The College's core curriculum fosters community while cultivating the minds and hearts of our students to form scholars, leaders, citizens, and disciples. At Holy Cross, students are shaped by a vision of the common good that is firmly grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition. Through study, dialogue, and experience, Holy Cross College forms global citizens with the competence to see and the courage to act.

Income
$39.1 million
Spending
$34.7 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
5.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 77%
Employees
353
Volunteers
67
Highest pay
$337,469, president

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 44% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

    25 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 (3)
  1. $24.0 million spent. Higher Education: Holy Cross College is a Catholic, residential liberal arts college located in Notre Dame, Indiana and is part of a tri campus community that includes the University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary's College. The College was founded in 1966 by the Brothers of Holy Cross and offers both associate and bachelors degrees, including an intensive three year bachelors program. The College's core curriculum fosters community while cultivating the minds and hearts of our students to form scholars, leaders, citizens, and disciples. At Holy Cross, students are shaped by a vision of the common good that is firmly grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition. Through study, dialogue, and experience, Holy Cross College forms global citizens with the competence to see and the courage to act.
  2. $6.8 million spent. Student Housing & Life: Holy Cross College offers a residential program to enhance the cultivation of our students' minds and hearts through social, spiritual and moral formation and growth of our students within the context of communal living centered around our Catholic faith. There is a two-year campus residence policy for all students.
  3. No program service accomplishment three.

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? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 March 1946.

    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.