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Belmont Abbey College

EIN 56-0547498 · Belmont, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF BELMONT ABBEY COLLEGE IS TO EDUCATE STUDENTS IN THE LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES SO THAT IN ALL THINGS, GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED. IN THIS ENDEAVOR, WE ARE GUIDED BY THE CATHOLIC INTELLECTUAL TRADITION AND THE BENEDICTINE SPIRIT OF PRAYER AND LEARNING. EXEMPLIFYING BENEDICTINE HOSPITALITY, WE WELCOME A DIVERSE BODY OF STUDENTS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH AN EDUCATION THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO LEAD LIVES OF INTEGRITY, SUCCEED PROFESSIONALLY, BECOME RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS, AND BE A BLESSING TO THEMSELVES AND TO OTHERS.

Income
$63.7 million
Spending
$59.9 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
-8.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 67%
Employees
621
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$441,964, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 22% 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

    10 of 20

    It owes 40% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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 May 31, 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 (1)
  1. $45.6 million spent. INSTRUCTION - BELMONT ABBEY COLLEGE PROVIDES EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS IN THE LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES SO THAT IN ALL THINGS, GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED. IN THIS ENDEAVOR, THE COLLEGE IS GUIDED BY THE CATHOLIC INTELLECTUAL TRADITION AND THE BENEDICTINE SPIRIT OF PRAYER AND LEARNING. EXEMPLIFYING BENEDICTINE HOSPITALITY, THE COLLEGE WELCOMES A DIVERSE BODY OF STUDENTS AND PROVIDES THEM WITH AN EDUCATION THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO LEAD LIVES OF INTEGRITY, TO SUCCEED PROFESSIONALLY, TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS, AND TO BE A BLESSING TO THEMSELVES AND TO OTHERS. DURING THE 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR THE COLLEGE ENROLLED APPROXIMATELY 1,500 STUDENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 May 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 February 1978.

    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.