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Council of Graduate Schools

EIN 52-2175852 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Dedicated to the improvement and advancement of graduate education. As the largest national association organized specifically to represent the interests of graduate education, the Council offers many opportunities for deans and graduate school personnel to exchange ideas and share information on major issues in graduate education.

Income
$8.1 million
Spending
$8.2 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
16.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 50%
Employees
27
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$643,986, president

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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 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. $4.5 million spent. Grants: The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) uses grant funding to support a range of initiatives intended to advance graduate education such as those intended to promote graduate student success, advance financial education, leverage international experiences, promote diversity and inclusion, and better understand the impact of graduate education on the workforce.
  2. $847,404 spent. Meetings and Workshops:CGS holds an annual meeting in December where participants explore important and current issues in graduate education. The meeting also provides opportunities for graduate leaders to exchange ideas and information. Graduate deans, associate and assistant deans, faculty and staff from colleges and universities, association, federal and state agencies, and other education related administrators, graduate students, and others interested in graduate education are invited. Pre-meeting workshops and plenary sessions, concurrent sessions, annual awards ceremony, and the Lapidus luncheon lecture comprise the annual meeting. Exhibits also are available to meeting attendees. CGS conducts a summer workshop for graduate deans with a fresh focus on hot topics that affect every facet of graduate education. Complementing the workshop is the new deans institute, a program tailored to orient new deans and integrate the workshop experience. CGS invites graduate deans, associate and assistant deans, and other faculty and staff from colleges, universities and associations to network with their colleagues. The CGS Board of Directors, staff and other specialists serve as core faculty for the new deans' institute and summer workshop. The summer workshop program includes informative plenary sessions, dean dialogues and hot topic sessions along with many opportunities for networking and interactive discussions on the issues most pressing to the graduate education community.
  3. $471,175 spent. Member Services: Leading effort to reach out to a growing number and different types of graduate schools for membership to provide relevant support and fulfill the needs of a dynamic and ever-changing membership.

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 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 2024.

    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 May 2000.

    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.