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Dordt University Incorporated

EIN 42-0772559 · Sioux Center, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AS AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTED TO THE REFORMED CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE, DORDT UNIVERSITY EQUIPS STUDENTS, ALUMNI, AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY TO WORK EFFECTIVELY TOWARD CHRIST-CENTERED RENEWAL IN ALL ASPECTS OF CONTEMPORARY LIFE.

Income
$106.3 million
Spending
$90.7 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
-2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 74%
Employees
1,624
Volunteers
175
Highest pay
$460,062, president

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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 53% 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

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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

    17 of 24 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 (3)
  1. $69.5 million spent. DORDT CURRENTLY SERVES OVER 2,000 STUDENTS FROM 30+ COUNTRIES. ITS ACADEMIC OFFERINGS INCLUDE VARIOUS UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS AS WELL AS ONLINE STUDIES, GRADUATE PROGRAMS, AND PROFESSIONAL-TECHNICAL ASSOCIATE DEGREES. WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF GRADUATION 99% OF STUDENTS ARE EMPLOYED OR IN GRADUATE SCHOOL. DORDT'S OTHER AREAS THAT SUPPORT THESE PROGRAM INCLUDE ACADEMIC SUPPORT, STUDENT SERVICES, AUXILIARY SERVICES (STUDENT HOUSING), AND RESEARCH. Dordt is ranked sixth among regional Midwest universities, according to U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Colleges. Dordt is also ranked seventh in Best Value Schools and second in Best Undergraduate Teaching, compared to other Midwest regional universities. Niche has ranked Dordt as one of the top 40 best Christian colleges in America.
  2. $10.6 million spent. DORDT'S AUXILIARY OPERATIONS INCLUDES RESIDENCE AND DINING HALLS. APPROXIMATELY 1,400 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS RESIDE ON CAMPUS EACH SEMESTER.
  3. CHILDREN OF BOARD MEMBERS ATTENDING DORDT RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED BASED ON THE SAME QUALIFICATIONS AS ALL OTHER STUDENTS APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AT DORDT. THEY DO NOT RECEIVE PREFERENTIAL AID.

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 May 1958.

    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.