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Africa College Fund

EIN 45-2028199 · Fairfield, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AFRICA COLLEGE FUND is dedicated to empowering disadvantaged youth with tools for success including education and entrepreneurship opportunities. This results in eradication of poverty through provision of quality, effective, consciousness-based University and vocational education.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
3

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

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 155% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    3 of 5 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 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 (3)
  1. $1.1 million spent. Grants to Maharishi Education for Invincibility Trust - MEIT - in South Africa, to give unemployed youth a full package of support: Degrees through Maharishi International University, Fairfield, Iowa and places them into jobs part-time while they are studying, and permanent jobs in SA on graduation. MEIT has a 90 percent graduate job placement rate, and over 90 percent of graduates have maintained employment beyond the first year of employment. This is amongst the highest success rates in the country of South Africa. The grant funding assisted with the educational costs in entirety of youth for a full year of University education, and related costs. MEIT has got to a point of being 85 percent self-funding, including a program called 'learn and earn' 'pay it forward'. This is in line with Africa College Fund's mission of supporting non-profit, tax-exempt organisations that have a focus on creating financial sustainability, to ensure long term success. Grants also include scholarship support for girls in the Maharishi Invincibility School of Management, as well as establishing the organisation with a new University college in Zimbabwe, and establishing a sister grant making organisation in the UK.
  2. $145,045 spent. Payments to Maharishi International University, Fairfield, Iowa, USA, to fund the USA tuition fees for distance education UniversityDegree programs on behalf of African students based in South Africa, that are studying through Maharishi Education for Invincibility Trust (MEIT) in a '2+2' program. This means the historically disadvantaged youth involved do their first 2-years of study in South Africa, and their second two-years of study are via distance education with Maharishi University of Management, broadcast from the United States to South Africa. The program is working highly effectively, and as cited above 90% of graduates have gained employment in quality graduate level positions in companies in South Africa.
  3. $756 spent. Bank charges

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2012.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.