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Lincoln University

EIN 37-0661227 · Lincoln, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 10% of its spending went to programs.

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

What it says it does

LINCOLN COLLEGE UNIQUELY EMPOWERS STUDENTS TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
10%
Reserves
-13.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 89%
Employees
14
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$179,342, v.p. for finance

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

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 134% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 111% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    10% 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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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

    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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    0 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 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. $339,578 spent. LINCOLN COLLEGE - OPERATED AS A COLLEGE LEVEL ACADEMIC PROGRAM THROUGH MAY 13, 2022 WHEN THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES VOTED TO CEASE ALL ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING. EVEN THOUGH THE COLLEGE HAS CEASED TEACHING OPERATIONS, IT IS STILL IN THE PROCESS OF WINDING UP ITS OPERATIONS AND CARRYING OUT EDUCATIONAL-RELATED FUNCTIONS (SUCH AS TRANSITIONING STUDENTS TO OTHER COLLEGES, OPERATING THE LINCOLN HERITAGE MUSEUM WITH FREQUENT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, SAFEGUARDING COLLEGE PROPERTY AND ENDOWMENT WITH THE GOAL OF TRANSFERRING IT TO ANOTHER EDUCATIONAL OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTITY, ETC.). THE MUSEUM CONTINUES TO OPERATE ON A DAILY BASIS PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND DAILY TOURS TO THE COMMUNITY.

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 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 November 6, 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 June 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 1942.

    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 November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Lincoln University (Lincoln Univ, PA), EIN 23-1352655. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.