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Converse University

EIN 57-0314380 · Spartanburg, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CONVERSE UNIVERSITY IS A LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE WHICH OFFERS CO-ED UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE DEGREES. CONVERSE ADVANCES A CULTURE OF BELONGING AND COLLABORATION THAT IGNITES CREATIVITY, INNOVATION, AND TRANSFORMATION.

Income
$50.7 million
Spending
$47.6 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
-0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 65%
Employees
666
Volunteers
28
Highest pay
$313,667, 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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 50% 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

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    26 of 26 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 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. $34.1 million spent. THE PRIMARY MISSION OF CONVERSE UNIVERSITY IS TO EMPOWER STUDENTS TO BECOME TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERS WHO SEE CLEARLY, DECIDE WISELY, AND ACT JUSTLY. CONVERSE UNIVERSITY PROVIDES A LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION OF CO-ED UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN A RESIDENTIAL SETTING. STUDENTS PURSUE RICHLY DIVERSE PROGRAMS IN LIBERAL ARTS AND CAREER PREPARATIONS. TODAY, INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS FOR GRADUATE AND DOCTORAL ADVANCED STUDY COMPLEMENT THE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONVERSE COLLEGE FOR WOMEN REAFFIRMS THE FOUNDER'S CONVICTION THAT A SMALL UNDERGRADUATE RESIDENTIAL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE IS A UNIQUELY POWERFUL ENVIRONMENT FOR DEVELOPING WOMEN'S TALENTS.
  2. $6.0 million spent. CONVERSE UNIVERSITY IS A RESIDENTIAL UNIVERSITY, MEANING ON-CAMPUS LIVING IS A VALUABLE EXPERIENCE WHERE IN AND OUT OF CLASS LEARNING MERGE. FROM HISTORIC CHARM TO MODERN EASE, CONVERSE'S RESIDENCE HALLS OFFER DIVERSE OPTIONS TO SUIT THE NEEDS AND PREFERENCES OF TODAY'S STUDENTS. LIVING IN A RESIDENCE HALL COMMUNITY OFFERS STUDENTS OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. EACH RESIDENCE HALL HAS STUDENT DEVELOPMENT STAFF, PROGRAMMING AND FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO HELP EACH STUDENT. CONVERSE'S RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES ARE MORE THAN JUST PLACES TO HANG OUT WHEN STUDENTS AREN'T IN CLASS. THEY ARE WHERE STUDENTS FEEL THE MOST AT HOME AND DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEERS IN A COMMUNITY.

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 February 1937.

    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.