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Calvin University

EIN 38-3071514 · Grand Rapids, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF CALVIN UNIVERSITY IS TO EQUIP STUDENTS TO THINK DEEPLY, TO ACT JUSTLY, AND TO LIVE WHOLEHEARTEDLY AS CHRIST'S AGENTS OF RENEWAL IN THE WORLD.

Income
$193.0 million
Spending
$212.8 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
-3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 80%
Employees
2,846
Volunteers
32
Highest pay
$429,163, presdient

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 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    30 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

    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 (4)
  1. $166.2 million spent. CALVIN UNIVERSITY IS A COMPREHENSIVE LIBERAL ARTS UNIVERSITY IN THE REFORMED TRADITION OF HISTORIC CHRISTIANITY SEEKING TO BE AGENTS OF RENEWAL IN THE ACADEMY, CHURCH, AND SOCIETY. THE UNIVERSITY OFFERS 81 BACCALAUREATE AND 9 MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMS. IT MAINTAINS A BROAD CORE CURRICULUM INCLUDING COURSES IN MATHEMATICS, BIBLICAL OR THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS, THE ARTS AND SCIENCES, LITERATURE, AND MORE. STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAMS AROUND THE WORLD DURING SHORT TERM AND SEMESTER PROGRAMS. THE UNIVERSITY ALSO PROVIDES A CHRISTIAN LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION TO INMATES AT THE RICHARD A. HANDLON CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN IONIA, MI. THIS FIVE-YEAR PROGRAM RESULTS IN A BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN FAITH AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP. CALVIN UNIVERSITY IS CONSISTENTLY RANKED AMONG THE BEST COLLEGES OF THE REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES MIDWEST BY THE U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT. THE CURRENT STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO IS 14:1. 98.4% OF THE 2025 CALVIN UNIVERSITY GRADUATES ARE EITHER EMPLOYED OR IN GRADUATE SCHOOL.
  2. $20.6 million spent. CALVIN UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES ARE INTENDED TO ENHANCE STUDENTS' SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING. THE UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDE AREAS SUCH AS REGULAR WORSHIP AND BIBLICAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, A HEALTH SERVICES CLINIC, EMOTIONAL WELLNESS SUPPORT, STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, CAMPUS TRADITIONS, SPORTS AND RECREATION, SERVICE-LEARNING, A DEDICATED CAMPUS SAFETY DEPARTMENT, SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS, NUMEROUS SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND OTHER FINANCIAL AID.
  3. $2.4 million spent. CALVIN UNIVERSITY PROVIDES ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE PRIMARY MISSIONS OF INSTRUCTION, RESEARCH, AND PUBLIC SERVICE. ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDE AREAS SUCH AS LIBRARIES, TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT, ACADEMIC TUTORING AND COACHING, WRITING ASSISTANCE, ON-CAMPUS MUSEUMS/GALLERIES, AND OTHER SERVICES THAT DIRECTLY ASSIST INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES.
  4. $14.4 million spent. OTHER UNIVERSITY EXPENSES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO AUXILIARY SERVICES, RESEARCH, MAINTENANCE OF GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS, AND PUBLIC SERVICES.

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 June 1993.

    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.