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Olivet College

EIN 38-1459365 · Olivet, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE A UNIQUE LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION ALLOWING STUDENTS TO ENGAGE IN BOTH CURRICULAR AND CO CURRICULAR PROGRAMS THAT COMBINE REAL WORLD EXPERIENCES WITH LECTURES AND SERVICE LEARNING.

Income
$45.3 million
Spending
$49.3 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-9.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 83%
Employees
588
Volunteers
31

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: 39 out of 100. Higher than 12% 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

    5 of 20

    It owes 54% 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 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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 39% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    31 of 31 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.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $17.5 million spent. FINANCIAL AID IN VARIOUS FORMS TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN FINANCING THEIR UNDERGRAUATE EDUCATION. 944 STUDENTS BENEFITTED. (Expenses $ 6,993,667 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 1,543,189) AUXILIARY - ROOM, BOARD, ATHLETICS AND SPIRIT STORE FOR STUDENTS OBTAINING THEIR UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION.
  2. $9.7 million spent. NON-EDUCATIONAL EVENTS FOR STUDENTS - CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS OFFERED TO STUDENTS. THIS INCLUDES ATHLETICS AND STUDENT LIFE EVENTS TO ENHANCE THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE.
  3. $8.4 million spent. INSTRUCTION AND RELATED SUPPORT - PROVIDING A LIBERAL ARTS UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION. 851 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ENROLLED IN FISCAL YEAR 2024-25. (Expenses $ 6,993,667 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 1,543,189) AUXILIARY - ROOM, BOARD, ATHLETICS AND SPIRIT STORE FOR STUDENTS OBTAINING THEIR UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION.
  4. $7.0 million spent. AUXILIARY - ROOM, BOARD, ATHLETICS AND SPIRIT STORE FOR STUDENTS OBTAINING THEIR UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION.

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 1952.

    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.

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.