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Knox College

EIN 37-0673513 · Galesburg, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

KNOX COLLEGE IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING A LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION TO STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS. OUR MISSION IS CARRIED OUT THROUGH: OUR CURRICULUM, THE CHARACTER OF OUR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, OUR RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS CULTURE, AND OUR COMMUNITY.

Income
$103.8 million
Spending
$113.2 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
-4.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 71%
Employees
1,317
Volunteers
473
Highest pay
$624,278, president & ex offcio 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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    37 of 38 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

    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. $94.6 million spent. HIGHER EDUCATION: OUR MISSION IS CARRIED OUT THROUGH OUR CURRICULUM, THE CHARACTER OF OUR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, OUR RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS CULTURE, AND OUR COMMUNITY. KNOX COLLEGE HAS A TRADITION OF FREE INQUIRY, INDEPENDENT THOUGHT, AND DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES. OUR STUDENTS CHOOSE THEIR OWN PATH TOWARDS A DEGREE, GUIDED BY SCHOLAR TEACHERS WHO ENCOURAGE THEM TO EXPLORE IDEAS AND PLACES, STRETCH THEIR INTELLECT AND THEIR TALENTS, BLEND THOUGHT WITH ACTION, AND FUSE IMAGINATION WITH INITIATIVE. FOUNDED IN 1837 BY SOCIAL REFORMERS STRONGLY OPPOSED TO SLAVERY, KNOX WAS ONE OF THE FIRST COLLEGES IN THE UNITED STATES OPEN TO BOTH WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR. IT WAS ON OUR CAMPUS WHERE ABRAHAM LINCOLN CHOSE TO DENOUNCE SLAVERY ON MORAL TERMS FOR THE FIRST TIME DURING THE 1858 LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE. WITH A CAMPUS POPULATION THAT INCLUDES STUDENTS FROM 42 STATES AND 56 COUNTRIES, 38% U.S. STUDENTS OF COLOR, AND INDIVIDUALS FROM EVERY IMAGINABLE RELIGIOUS AND SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUND. MEMBERS OF THE KNOX COMMUNITY ARE ACTIVELY CHALLENGED TO BROADEN THEIR POINTS OF VIEW. KNOX COLLEGE IS A COLLEGE THAT CHANGES LIVES (1,127 STUDENTS)

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 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 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 1935.

    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.

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