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Association of Boarding Schools

EIN 52-2206491 · Asheville, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak46 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE TABS MISSION IS TO COUNSEL, CONNECT, AND CHAMPION BOARDING SCHOOLS SO THEY CAN TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF THEIR STUDENTS.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
53%
Reserves
4.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
8
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$412,347, 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

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 58% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    53% of spending went to programs.

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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 18 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 (2)
  1. $1.1 million spent. THE ASSOCIATION OF BOARDING SCHOOLS ("TABS") IS DEDICATED TO ADVANCING BOARDING SCHOOL EDUCATORS WITH TAILORED WORKSHOPS, WEBINARS, AND AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE, PROVIDING THEM WITH THE LATEST INSIGHTS AND STRATEGIES FOR THEIR ROLES. THE CORNERSTONE OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IS THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE, WHICH DRAWS HUNDREDS OF INDIVIDUALS ACROSS A VARIETY OF ROLES, PROVIDING INSPIRATIONAL KEYNOTE SPEAKERS, INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS LED BY LEADERS IN OUR MEMBER SCHOOLS, AND VALUABLE NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES. OTHER KEY IN-PERSON PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OFFERINGS INCLUDE OUR RESIDENTIAL LIFE LEADERSHIP LAB, DEI LEADERSHIP LAB, LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE, AND SUMMER INSTITUTES. THESE ARE SUPPLEMENTED BY AN ARRAY OF VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS AND WEBINARS ADDRESSING CRITICAL AND TIMELY ISSUES FOR BOARDING SCHOOLS.
  2. $648,021 spent. THE ASSOCIATION OF BOARDING SCHOOLS ("TABS") PROVIDED A VARIETY OF MARKETING SUPPORT FOR MEMBER SCHOOLS IN ITS EFFORTS TO REACH FAMILIES CONSIDERING BOARDING SCHOOLS. TO THIS END, THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS A WEBSITE, BOARDINGSCHOOLS.COM, WHICH IS THE ESSENTIAL ONLINE RESOURCE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT BOARDING SCHOOLS AND BOARDING SCHOOL LIFE, WITH EXCLUSIVE VIDEO CONTENT, NARRATIVE INSIGHTS ON BOARDING SCHOOLS AND WHAT TO EXPECT, AND GUIDANCE ON SCHOOL SELECTION AND THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR BOTH PARENTS AND STUDENTS. THE WEBSITE ALSO FEATURES A SCHOOL BROWSER THAT ALLOWS VISITORS TO CONDUCT CUSTOM SEARCHES OF BOARDING SCHOOLS.TABS ACTIVELY PROMOTES THE VALUE OF BOARDING EDUCATION, CELEBRATING MEMBER ACHIEVEMENTS AND AMPLIFYING THE PROFOUND IMPACT OF BOARDING SCHOOLS, ENHANCING THEIR RECOGNITION WORLDWIDE. MEMBERS GAIN ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL RESOURCES LIKE DATA DASHBOARDS AND MARKETING TOOLS, ALONGSIDE RESEARCH THAT DEMONSTRATES THE BENEFITS OF A BOARDING EDUCATION AND OFFERS STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE. TABS CONDUCTED A LARGE-SCALE STUDY DESIGNED TO DETERMINE THE OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH A BOARDING SCHOOL EDUCATION. THE FINDINGS FROM THIS SURVEY OF NEARLY 10,000 NORTH AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND OVER 1,500 ALUMNI WERE RELEASED TO THE MEMBERSHIP IN A REPORT ENTITLED "THE BOARDING ADVANTAGE, AND SHOWED THAT THE BENEFITS OF BOARDING ARE SIGNIFICANT AND LONG-LASTING.

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 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.