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Minerva University

EIN 46-2589747 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MINERVA UNIVERSITY STRIVES TO DEVELOP PROBLEM-SOLVERS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND WISE LEADERS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE; AND WEAVE THEM TOGETHER AS ONE COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS THE GREATEST CHALLENGES FACING HUMANITY.CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE OOUR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS COME TOGETHER AS FUTURE LEADERS AND ENTREPRENEURS FROM 100 NATIONS TO LIVE AND LEARN TOGETHER IN MULTIPLE CULTURALLY VIBRANT CITIES AROUND THE WORLD OVER FOUR YEARS OF STUDY WITH A SHARED GOAL IN MIND TO CONTRIBUTE TO A SAFER, MORE SUSTAINABLE WORLD.MINERVA IS AN INDEPENDENT, NON-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, ACCREDITED BY THE WASC SENIOR COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY COMMISSION (WSCUC). MINERVA IS AUTHORIZED BY THE STUDENT AND EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM (SEVP) TO HOST INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ON AN F-1 VISA FOR THE UNDERGRADUATE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM.

Income
$48.9 million
Spending
$41.6 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
6.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
652
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$652,955, 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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 50% 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 48% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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. $36.8 million spent. OPERATE AFFORDABLE, HIGH QUALITY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS LEADING TO AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE. TO ACCOMPLISH THIS, THE INSTITUTE IDENTIFIES STUDENTS, AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER DIRECT AID, PROVIDES INSTRUCTION USING HIGH QUALITY, SCAFFOLDED CURRICULA ON AN INNOVATE LIVE VIDEO-BASED PLATFORM AND IMMERSIVE RESIDENTIAL SERVICES IN SEVEN GLOBAL LOCATIONS.
  2. $504,368 spent. OPERATE HIGH QUALITY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS LEADING TO A GRADUATE DEGREE. TO ACCOMPLISH THIS, THE INSTITUTE IDENTIFIES STUDENTS AND PROVIDES INSTRUCTION USING HIGH QUALITY, SCAFFOLDED CURRICULA ON AN INNOVATIVE LIVE VIDEO-BASED PLATFORM.
  3. $17,647 spent. OPERATE HIGH QUALITY EDUCATIONAL NON-DEGREE PROGRAMS WITH A DURATION OF A FEW WEEKS OR UP TO A YEAR. TO ACCOMPLISH THIS, THE INSTITUTE IDENTIFIES STUDENTS AND PROVIDES INSTRUCTION USING HIGH QUALITY, SCAFFOLDED CURRICULA ON AN INNOVATE LIVE VIDEO-BASED PLATFORM.

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 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 June 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 July 2015.

    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.