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Bethany College

EIN 48-0543734 · Lindsborg, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BETHANY COLLEGE IS A PRIVATE, FOUR-YEAR LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE WHOSE MISSION IS TO EDUCATE, DEVELOP, AND CHALLENGE INDIVIDUALS TO REACH FOR TRUTH AND EXCELLENCE AS THEY LEAD LIVES OF FAITH, LEARNING, AND SERVICE.

Income
$32.3 million
Spending
$30.6 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
-13.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 78%
Employees
408
Volunteers
22
Highest pay
$225,000, interim pres.- 01/24 - 04/25

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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 25% 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

    2 of 20

    It owes 96% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

    17 of 17 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. $17.7 million spent. EDUCATION AND INSTRUCTION - BETHANY COLLEGE, ESTABLISHED BY SWEDISH LUTHERAN IMMIGRANTS IN 1881, IS A COLLEGE OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA (ECLA) LOCATED IN LINDSBORG, KANSAS. BETHANY IS A SMALL, PRIVATE FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTION WHICH PROVIDES EDUCATION IN OVER 42 ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE MAJORS AND PROGRAMS OF STUDY WHICH LEAD TO THREE DEGREES. THE COLLEGE PROVIDES APPROXIMATELY 600 STUDENTS WITH AN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY THAT EMPHASIZES THE MISSION, WHICH IS TO EDUCATE, DEVELOP, AND CHALLENGE INDIVIDUALS TO REACH FOR TRUTH AND EXCELLENCE AS THEY LEAD LIVES OF FAITH, LEARNING, AND SERVICE.
  2. $1.8 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES - THE MISSION OF THE OFFICE OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENT IS TO FOSTER THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHOLE PERSON - MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT - ACCORDING TO THE RUBRIC EXPRESSED IN THE MISSION AND VALUES OF THE COLLEGE. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY PROVIDING CARE, DIRECTION, ACTIVITY, AND EDUCATION IN ALL AREAS OF THE STUDENTS' LIVES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM.
  3. $6.9 million spent. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES: AUXILIARY OPERATIONS OF THE COLLEGE PROVIDE ON-CAMPUS HOUSING, FOOD SERVICE, AND THE SWEDE NATION STATION BOOKSTORE.

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 October 1942.

    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.

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