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Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities

EIN 52-2268177 · Washington, DC

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ASSOCIATION OF CATHOLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, FOUNDED IN 1899, SERVES AS THE COLLECTIVE VOICE OF U.S CATHOLIC HIGHER EDUCATION. THROUGH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, THE ASSOCIATION STRENGTHENS AND PROMPTES THE CATHOLIC IDENTITY AND MISSION OF ITS MEMBER INSTITUTIONS SO THAT ALL ASSOCIATED WITH CATHOLIC HIGHER EDUCATION CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE GREATER GOOD OF THE WORLD AND THE CHURCH.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
17.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 73%
Employees
11
Volunteers
60
Highest pay
$313,955, 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: 80 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 55% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 21 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 (4)
  1. $1.1 million spent. ANNUAL MEETING: ANNUAL MEETING IN WASHINGTON DC BRINGING TOGETHER REPRESENTATIVES FROM MEMBER INSTITUTIONS TO DISCUSS HIGHER EDUCATION, INVESTMENTS, STRATEGIC PLANNING, AND OTHER EDUCATION THEMES AND ISSUES. THOSE ATTENDING ARE THE PRESIDENTS AND SENIOR ADMINISTRATORS FROM MEMBER INSTITUTIONS. OTHER PROGRAMS/CONFERENCES: ACCU HOSTS AND COHOSTS NUMEROUS SEMINARS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WHICH COVER VARIOUS TOPICS RELATED TO EDUCATIONAL ISSUES: E.G., ROME SEMINAR; MISSION OFFICER CONFERENCE; NEW PRESIDENTS INSTITUTE; AND OTHERS AS NEEDED.
  2. $177,470 spent. ADVISORY SERVICES (MEMBERSHIP): ACCU PROVIDES LEADERSHIP CONSULTATION, RESEARCH SUPPORT, AND ADVISORY SERVICES TO MEMBER INSTITUTIONS, CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS, OTHER EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, RESEARCHERS, AND THE PUBLIC MEDIA.
  3. $130,296 spent. MARKETING & COMMUNICATION: WE PROVIDE A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER, UPDATE, FOR MEMBERSHIP WITH THOUGHT-TOPIC SUBMISSIONS FROM MEMBERS, HIGHLIGHTS ON OUR PRESIDENTS, AND CURRENT HAPPENINGS AT ACCU AND OUR INSTITUTIONS. WE ALSO PROVIDE A JOURNAL, JOURNAL OF CATHOLIC HIGHER EDUCATION, THE ONLY ONE IN THE SECTOR FOR RESEARCH ARTICLES. ACCU HAS AN ACTIVE SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE TO ENGAGE OUR MEMBERS AND HELP THEM TO NETWORK WITH ONE ANOTHER.
  4. $639,592 spent. OTHER

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? Caution.

    Not 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 March 1946.

    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.