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Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty Inc

EIN 45-5507122 · Lexington, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SHEPHERD HIGHER EDUCATION CONSORTIUM ON POVERTY (SHECP) ENCOURAGES THE STUDY OF POVERTY AS A COMPLEX SOCIAL PROBLEM, BY EXPANDING AND IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS IN A WIDE RANGE OF DISCIPLINES AND CAREER TRAJECTORIES. THROUGH ITS PROGRAMS, SHECP AND ITS MEMBER INSTITUTIONS PREPARE STUDENTS FOR A LIFETIME OF PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC EFFORTS TO DIMINISH POVERTY AND ENHANCE HUMAN CAPABILITY, WHILE ALSO SUPPORTING CONNECTIONS AMONG STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF, AND ALUMNI ENGAGED IN THE STUDY OF POVERTY.OVERVIEW OF THE CONSORTIUM POVERTY STUDIES EDUCATION:STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN SHEPHERD CONSORTIUM POVERTY STUDIES BEGINS WITH A GATEWAY, INTRODUCTORY, INTERDISCIPLINARY COURSE ON POVERTY. STUDENTS COMPLETING THAT COURSE OR A SURROGATE FOR IT ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM THAT IS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED UNDER PROGRAM SERVICES. THE INTERNSHIP IS A KEY COMPONENT OF AN EDUCATION CULMINATING IN ADDITIONAL COURSE WORK (INCLUDING A CAPSTONE COURSE OR

Income
$623,343
Spending
$436,618
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
9.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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 79% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $337,927 spent. INTERNSHIP PROGRAM--SHECP UNITES STUDENTS WITH AGENCIES THAT WORK IN DISTRESSED COMMUNITIES. SHECP MATCHES COLLEGE STUDENTS IN FULL-TIME EIGHT-WEEK VOLUNTEER INTERNSHIPS, SERVING ORGANIZATIONS IN CITIES AND TOWNS ACROSS THE U.S. STUDENTS LEARN FIRST HAND ABOUT THE MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS OF POVERTY IN THE U.S. BY WORKING ALONGSIDE INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO IMPROVE THEIR COMMUNITIES. THE AGENCIES FOCUS ON EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, LEGAL SERVICES, HOUSING, HUNGER, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC NEEDS, AND COMMUNITY BUILDING EFFORTS. STUDENTS WORK WITH AGENCIES THAT FIT THEIR INTELLECTUAL AND PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS IN ORDER TO DEVELOP THEIR EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS FOR FUTURE CIVIC INVOLVEMENT AND EMPLOYMENT. PARTICIPATING STUDENTS ARE ENGAGED IN A COMPETITIVE APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW PROCESS AT THEIR HOME INSTITUTION IN ORDER TO BE ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM. THE INTERNSHIP BEGINS WITH A TWO DAY OPENING CONFERENCE AND ENDS WITH A TWO DAY CLOSING CONFERENCE. DURING THE INTERNSHIP, STUDENTS LIVE AND WORK TOGETHER, CREATING NEW NETWORKS AND FRIENDSHIPS. SHECP COORDINATED AND PAID FOR TRAVELING AND HOUSING, AND EACH STUDENT RECEIVED A STIPEND FOR FOOD AND COMMUTING EXPENSES.
  2. $18,516 spent. CONSORTIUM PROGRAMMING--ON SITE CONSULTATION FOR EACH MEMBER SCHOOL AND FOR PROSPECTIVE MEMBER SCHOOLS ABOUT THEIR COURSES, WITH STAFF ABOUT THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, WITH STUDENTS ABOUT HOW THEY CAN AUGMENT THEIR PARTICIPATION IN POVERTY STUDIES, AND WITH DEVELOPMENT OFFICES AND ADMINISTRATORS ABOUT SOLICITING RESOURCES TO AUGMENT THE MEMBERS POVERTY STUDIES PROGRAMMING. ADVICE IS COLLECTED AND BEST PRACTICES DISSEMINATED AMONG MEMBER SCHOOLS TO ENHANCE THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING THAT MEMBERS PROVIDE THEIR STUDENTS.
  3. CONFERENCES--THE INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE IS BOOKENDED BY AN OPENING AND CLOSING CONFERENCE. A TWO-DAY OPENING CONFERENCE PROVIDES INTERNS A COMPREHENSIVE INTRODUCTION AND ORIENTATION TO LEARNING OUTCOMES TO BE ACHIEVED DURING THE INTERNSHIP. DURING THE CLOSING CONFERENCE STUDENTS PROVIDE INTERACTIVE PRESENTATIONS TO THEIR FELLOW INTERNS AND SELECTED EXPERTS. STUDENTS ARE EXPOSED TO NOTABLE GUEST SPEAKERS WHO MAKE AN INMPACT ON POVERTY IN THE U.S.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 July 2013.

    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.