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Associated Colleges of the South Inc

EIN 58-1948807 · Atlanta, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ASSOCIATED COLLEGES OF THE SOUTH SEEKS TO CHAMPION AND ENHANCE RESIDENTIAL LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION THROUGH COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS AMONG ITS SIXTEEN MEMBER INSTITUTIONS.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
3.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$165,989, cfo/svp operati

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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 60% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 17 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. $528,645 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS:LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ENCOMPASSES ACTIVITIES FOR STAFF AT MEMBER COLLEGES THAT IMPROVES AND ADVANCES HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERSHIP SKILLS. THESE INCLUDE SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS, COLLABORATIVE PEER GROUPS, SUPPORT AND NETWORKING AND TRAINING.
  2. $460,850 spent. MEMBER SERVICES:MEMBER SERVICES EMCOMPASSES ALL OF THE WORK THE ASSOCIATION DOES FOR ITS MEMBER INSTITUTIONS, OTHER THAN THE FACULTY AND DIVERSITY PROGRAMS. CURRENTLY, MEMBER SERVICES INCLUDE THE TUITION EXCHANGE PROGRAM, RELATIONSHIP BUILDING WITH MEMBER INSTITUTIONS, AND MEETING OF SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS AT THE COLLEGES FOR NERWORKING AND COST-SAVINGS INITIATIVES.
  3. $226,388 spent. FACULTY PROGRAM:THE FACULTY PROGRAM INCLUDES WORKSHOPS THAT FOCUS ON TEACHING METHODS AS OPPOSED TO DISCIPLINARY CONTENT. THE FACULTY PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES GRANTS GIVEN TO ASSIST FACULTY IN REFINING COURSES, TEACHING NEW SKILLS AND APPROACHES, AND ADVANCING RESEARCH EFFORTS.
  4. $57,576 spent. DIVERSITY PROGRAM:THE DIVERSITY PROGRAM ACKNOWLEDGES THE LACK OF RACIAL DIVERSITY AMONG THE FACULTY AND STAFF OF THE ASSOCIATION'S INSTITUTIONS AND PROPOSES WAYS TO ADDRESS AND IMPROVE THAT SITUATION. THE ASSOCATION HELD MEETINGS WITH REPRESENTATITVES OF THE MEMBER INSTITUTIONS. THE FINDINGS OF THE PROGRAM ARE INCORPORATED INTO THE ASSOCIATION'S STRATEGIC PLAN.

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 January 1992.

    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.

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.