Thurgood Marshall College Fund Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund is three-fold: Partner with our member-schools to increase access, retention and graduation rates of students attending their schools, identify and prepare students attending member-schools who have significant leadership potential, and create a pipeline for employers of highly qualified member-schools, students and alumni.
- Income
- $88.3 million
- Spending
- $65.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 9.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 114
- Volunteers
- 48
- Highest pay
- $869,508, president & ceo
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2532 of 32 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $25.2 million spent. Scholarships and grants: The Scholarship Program provides merit-based scholarships to students seeking financial assistance to complete their education. TMCF scholarships are awarded annually to students meeting the TMCF eligibility criteria. Awards are made each semester based on a verification process designed to ensure that students are meeting high expectations and have an unmet financial need.The TMCF Internship Program is managed by the talent acquisition division and seeks students who attend member-schools and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Members of the division serve as liaisons and provide support to students throughout the internship program. See Schedule O for continuation The identification process is implemented by pre-screening students for geographic preferences, career objectives, and matching TMCF's partners' needs. Qualified applicants demonstrate personal effectiveness competencies such as active listening skills, presentation skills, professionalism, dependability and reliability, interpersonal skills and self-awareness in order to model the behavior of a student for whom the talent acquisition division determines is the best recruit. TMCF Corporate Scholar Programs promote career readiness through scholarships, leadership development, boot camps, and immersive experiences for hand-selected student leaders attending HBCUs and PBIs. These highly competitive and unique programs leverage the knowledge, experience, and network of top employers from around the country and TMCF staff to foster a collaborative learning community. Students develop key leadership skills, nurture their originality and receive hands-on experience that will prepare them to be career ready as they join the workforce.
- $28.6 million spent. Leadership training and seminars: The Teacher Quality and Retention Program (TQRP) was designed to help teachers enhance the learning experience of students. Now, more than ever, our students need qualified teachers who can help them overcome challenging school environments and achieve academic and personal success. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) graduate more minority teachers than any other source.TQRP provides a one-week summer institute designed to give education majors experience in the application of educational theories and practices. See Schedule O for continuation (continuation): This training will equip future teachers with the skills they need to successfully enter high-need schools in urban and rural communities. Selected science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) majors will take part in a two-week fellowship designed to expose those considering a career education to the latest theories and practices associated with exemplary science and mathematics instruction.
- $383,029 spent. TM2 Search: TM2 Education Search provides retained search and leadership development services designed to help build and develop sustainable leadership and boards. Specifically, our searches focus on the following positions: Board of Trustees, Presidents & Chancellors, Provosts, Deans, and the Executive Level of institutions in the Black College Community.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1993.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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.