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Graceland University

EIN 42-0707114 · Lamoni, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak30 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE OTHE PRIMARY MISSION OF GRACELAND UNIVERSITY IS TO BE A LEARNING COMMUNITY, WHERE STUDENTS DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL FOR MEANINGFUL AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES THROUGH INTELLECTUAL, PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH. THIS MISSION IS GUIDED BY THE BELIEF THAT THE CURRICULUM OF GRACELAND UNIVERSITY SHOULD BE FIRMLY ROOTED IN THE BEST LIBERAL ARTS TRADITION, ENHANCED BY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES THAT PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL CAREERS. AS AN INSTITUTION DEDICATED TO THE WORTH OF ALL PERSONS, AS A PART OF ITS MISSION, GRACELAND UNIVERSITY ENDEAVORS TO FOSTER CHRISTIAN VALUES IN HARMONY WITH THE COMMUNITY OF CHRIST, ITS SPONSORING CHURCH. TO ACHIEVE ITS MISSION, GRACELAND UNIVERSITY RELIES UPON AN INSIGHTFUL AND INSPIRED ADMINISTRATION, A COMPETENT AND DEDICATED FACULTY, A COMPASSIONATE AND CARING STAFF, AND INQUIRING STUDENTS COMMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS OF LIFE-LONG LEARNING.

Income
$37.9 million
Spending
$50.6 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
-6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 77%
Employees
975
Volunteers
1,100
Highest pay
$267,121, vp - aa/ president as of 7/24

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 30 out of 100. Higher than 3% 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

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, 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 25

    21 of 22 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 May 31, 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. $13.3 million spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, GENERAL/OTHER: GRACELAND PRODUCES A LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION OFFERED TO STUDENTS IN TRADITIONAL ON-CAMPUS PROGRAMS AND VIA DISTANCE LEARNING FORMATS. 27 UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS, 6 MASTERS DEGREES WITH 11 AREAS OF CONCENTRATION, 7 GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS AND 2 DOCTORATE PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED. GRACELAND UNIVERSITY IS ACCREDITED BY THE HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION. ACADEMIC SUPPORT INCLUDES ACCREDITATION AND ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES, LIBRARIES, AND INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT. (1,127 FTE)
  2. $20.9 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES PROGRAMS, GENERAL/OTHER/AUXILLIARY: STUDENT SERVICES ENCOMPASSES CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS, INCLUDING STUDENT GOVERNMENT AND INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS. ALSO INCLUDED ARE OFFICES PROVIDING STUDENT SERVICE SUPPORT SUCH AS ADMISSIONS, REGISTRAR, AND OTHERS. AUXILLIARY SERVICES INCLUDE THE UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE, FOOD SERVICES, RESIDENCE HALLS, AND SNACK SHOP AND VENDING ACTIVITIES.
  3. $8.6 million spent. STUDENT FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS: SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS AND OTHER STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WERE RECEIVED BY 99% OF OUR RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS AND BY 93% AND 78% OF OUR ONLINE UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS, RESPECTIVELY. FUNDING IS PROVIDED THROUGH INSTITUTIONAL SOURCES, GOVERNMENT GRANT PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE UNIVERSITY, OR GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED LOAN PROGRAMS.
  4. $732,430 spent. TRIO GRANT PROGRAMS WHICH ARE ALL FUNDED BY GOVERNMENT GRANTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 May 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 April 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 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.