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Wofford College

EIN 57-0314422 · Spartanburg, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF WOFFORD COLLEGE IS TO FUNCTION AS A LIBERAL ARTS INSTITUTION OF SUPERIOR QUALITY. ITS CHIEF CONCERN IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTELLECTUAL, SPIRITUAL, AND AESTHETIC ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH SERIOUS AND INQUIRING MINDS OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY ALIKE WILL BE CHALLENGED TO A COMMON SEARCH FOR TRUTH AND FREEDOM, WHEREVER THAT SEARCH MAY LEAD, AND IN WHICH EACH PERSON MAY BECOME AWARE OF HIS OR HER OWN INDIVIDUAL WORTH, WHILE ASPIRING TO HIGH STANDARDS OF LEARNING AND MORALITY. IN SUCH AN ENVIRONMENT ALL MEMBERS OF THE WOFFORD COMMUNITY SHOULD DEVELOP INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY, INDEPENDENCE OF THOUGHT, MATURITY OF JUDGMENT, SELF-DISCIPLINE, RELIGIOUS FAITH, AND MORAL CHARACTER SO THAT THEY WILL BE EVER SENSITIVE TO THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOOD CITIZENSHIP AND RENDER EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP AND GENEROUS SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY LIVE. THIS CONCEPT OF LIBERAL EDUCATION IS IN HARMONY WITH THE IDEALS OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, TO WHICH THE COLLEGE IS RELATED.

Income
$166.4 million
Spending
$162.7 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
-8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 77%
Employees
1,159
Volunteers
31
Highest pay
$809,510, 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: 56 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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

    30 of 30 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. $92.3 million spent. THE COLLEGE PROVIDED A LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION TO APPROXIMATELY 1,825 STUDENTS FOR THE 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR, GRADUATING APPROXIMATELY 375 STUDENTS WITH BA OR BS DEGREES. THE COLLEGE IS COMMITTED TO AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESS TO STUDENTS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS. THE COLLEGE DISTRIBUTED IN EXCESS OF $64 MILLION IN FINANCIAL AID TO ASSIST STUDENTS IN MEETING THE FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS OF ATTENDING THE INSTITUTION.
  2. $53.9 million spent. THE COLLEGE PROVIDED AUXILIARY SERVICES FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF AND THE COMMUNITY. SUCH AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES INCLUDE STUDENT HOUSING, ATHLETICS, INTRAMURAL SPORTS, AND THE WELLNESS CENTER.

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 October 13, 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 July 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 October 21, 2026.

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