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Graduate Theological Foundation

EIN 35-1622256 · Sarasota, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE GRADUATE THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION IS AN INTERRELIGIOUS DEGREE GRANTING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION THAT PROVIDES CONTINUING EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY PROFESSIONALS.

Income
$346,388
Spending
$344,055
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 92%
Employees
4
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$79,118, provost

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    56% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (4)
  1. $155,649 spent. THE FOUNDATION IS AN INTERRELIGIOUS DEGREE GRANTING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION THAT PROVIDES CONTINUING EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY PROFESSIONALS. ALL EDUCATIONAL DEGREE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED FOR ADVANCED LEARNING THAT IS SELF IMPROVING AND MOTIVATIONAL IN NATURE FOR FULLY CREDENTIALED PROFESSIONALS IN MINISTRY. STUDENTS MAY COMPLETE THE ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS OF THEIR DOCTORAL, MASTERS, OR UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES THROUGH ENDORSED PROGRAMS AND VENUES THROUGHOUT THE U.S. AND ABROAD, AND ALSO DIRECTLY THROUGH THE FOUNDATION IN THE FORM OF ONLINE, DISTANCE OR ON-SITE STUDY. BOTH PROFESSIONAL (PRAXIS-ORIENTED) AND ACADEMIC (RESEARCH ORIENTED) DEGREES ARE OFFERED. DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE FOUNDATION REQUIRE THE COMPLETION OF AN APPROVED COURSE CURRICULUM AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FINAL PRAXIS-BASED DOCTORAL PROJECT (PROFESSIONAL DOCTORATES) OR A RESEARCH BASED DOCTORAL THESIS (ACADEMIC DOCTORATES) THAT IS EVALUATED BY FACULTY MEMBERS. DURING THE YEAR 2024, THE FOUNDATION GRADUATED 26 DOCTORAL STUDENTS. OF THE 136 STUDENTS ENROLLED AT DECEMBER 31, 2024 (END OF YEAR TOTAL ENROLLMENT), 109 WERE IN DOCTORAL PROGRAMS.
  2. $19,992 spent. MASTERS DEGREE PROGRAMS REQUIRE THE COMPLETION OF AN APPROVED COURSE CURRICULUM AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FINAL PRAXIS-BASED MASTERS PROJECT (PROFESSIONAL MASTERS) OR A RESEARCH-BASED MASTERS THESIS (ACADEMIC MASTERS) THAT IS EVALUATED BY FOUNDATION FACULTY. DURING THE YEAR 2024, THE FOUNDATION GRADUATED 5 MASTERS STUDENT. OF THE 136 STUDENTS ENROLLED AT DECEMBER 31, 2024 (END OF YEAR TOTAL ENROLLMENT), 14 WERE IN MASTERS PROGRAMS.
  3. $12,852 spent. UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS REQUIRE THE COMPLETION OF AN APPROVED COURSE CURRICULUM AND A FINAL PAPER THAT IS EVALUATED BY FACULTY MEMBERS. DURING THE YEAR 2024, THE FOUNDATION GRADUATED 2 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS. OF THE 136 STUDENTS ENROLLED AT DECEMBER 31, 2024 (END OF YEAR TOTAL ENROLLMENT), 9 STUDENTS WERE IN UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS.
  4. $5,712 spent. CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS REQUIRE THE COMPLETION OF AN APPROVED COURSE CURRICULUM THAT ARE EVALUATED BY FACULTY MEMBERS. DURING THE YEAR 2024, THE FOUNDATION GRADUATED 3 CERTIFICATE PROGRAM STUDENTS. OF THE 136 STUDENTS ENROLLED AT DECEMBER 31, 2024 (END OF YEAR TOTAL ENROLLMENT), 4 STUDENTS WERE IN THE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 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 June 1985.

    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.