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The University of Virginias College at Wise Foundation Inc

EIN 54-1638774 · Wise, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA'S COLLEGE AT WISE FOUNDATION, INC. IS TO AID AND SUPPORT THE ACADEMIC, ATHLETIC AND STUDENT LIFE PROGRAMS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA'S COLLEGE AT WISE BY SOLICITING AND OBTAINING FUNDS FOR THE (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) FURTHERANCE OF THOSE PROGRAMS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO SOLICITS AND RAISES FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE AND MANAGEMENT OF PROPERTY, IMPROVED OR UNIMPROVED, EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE EDUCATIONAL BENEFIT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA'S COLLEGE AT WISE.

Income
$12.8 million
Spending
$2.9 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
7.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
35

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 77% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 185% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% 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

    35 of 35 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.

  • 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. $1.9 million spent. THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA'S COLLEGE AT WISE FOUNDATION, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COLLEGE'S OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT, RAISES FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF ACADEMICS. GIFTS SUPPORT ENDOWED FUNDS DESIGNATED FOR PROFESSORSHIPS, LECTURESHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS, AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT. IN ADDITION, FUNDS ARE RAISED TO SUPPORT EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS STUDY ABROAD, UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH, AND INTERNSHIPS. THE COLLEGE'S TOTAL ENROLLMENT FOR THE YEAR WAS 2,220. OF THIS NUMBER, APPROXIMATELY 88% OF THE STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA'S COLLEGE AT WISE WERE ELIGIBLE FOR SOME FORM OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS HAVE NO FAMILY SUPPORT. 520 STUDENTS RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS OR AWARDS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025.
  2. $799,197 spent. THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA'S COLLEGE AT WISE FOUNDATION, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COLLEGE'S OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT SOLICITS AND OBTAINS FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE COLLEGE'S ATHLETIC PROGRAM. GIFTS SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS, GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES, AND SPECIAL PROJECTS THAT PROMOTE THE SUCCESS OF THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AND STUDENT ATHLETES.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1993.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.