Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Bethune-Cookman University

EIN 59-0704726 · Daytona Beach, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY IS TO EDUCATE A DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE, PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS AND SOLUTION SEEKERS THROUGH THE PROMOTION OF FAITH, SCHOLARSHIP, CREATIVE ENDEAVORS, LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE.

Income
$107.3 million
Spending
$112.7 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
-6.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 67%
Employees
968
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$530,775, athletic director/basketball coach

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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 44% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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. $35.9 million spent. INSTRUCTION: BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY HAS FOUR ACADEMIC COLLEGES: BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP; ARTS AND HUMANITIES; NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES; SCIENCE, ENGINEERING & MATHEMATICS TO AWARD BACHELOR'S AND MASTER'S DEGREES. (Expenses $ 8,881,555 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 1,167,507) STUDENT SERVICES: STUDENTS ARE INVOLVED IN A VARIETY OF CULTURAL AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS TO ENRICH THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES. SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES ARE ALSO PROVIDED. VARIOUS COMPUTER LABS AND A 24-HOUR LIBRARY ARE OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS TO SUPPORT THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ALSO HAS A ROTC OFFICE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS.
  2. $27.9 million spent. AUXILIARY SERVICES: THROUGH ITS FOOD SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MEAL PLANS ARE PROVIDED FOR STUDENTS LIVING ON CAMPUS. A CAFETERIA, IN ADDITION TO A STARBUCKS CAFE AND WORLD OF WINGS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR OFF-CAMPUS STUDENTS, FACULTY AND VISITORS. VARIOUS ATHLETIC PROGRAMS ARE ALSO OFFERED FOR STUDENTS. THE UNIVERSITY ALSO MAINTAINS SEVEN RESIDENCE HALLS THAT PROVIDE FULL LIVING FACILITIES FOR APPROXIMATELY 1,800 STUDENTS. ALL RESIDENCE HALLS ARE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET. THE BOOKSTORE OFFERS TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER SUPPLIES FOR THE STUDENTS.
  3. $21.1 million spent. STUDENT AID: GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS WERE PROVIDED TO STUDENTS BASED ON ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT, AND FINANCIAL NEED. THE UNIVERSITY ALSO PARTICIPATES IN VARIOUS FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS OFFERING FINANCIAL AID TO STUDENTS. (Expenses $ 8,881,555 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 1,167,507) STUDENT SERVICES: STUDENTS ARE INVOLVED IN A VARIETY OF CULTURAL AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS TO ENRICH THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES. SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES ARE ALSO PROVIDED. VARIOUS COMPUTER LABS AND A 24-HOUR LIBRARY ARE OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS TO SUPPORT THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ALSO HAS A ROTC OFFICE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS.
  4. $8.9 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES: STUDENTS ARE INVOLVED IN A VARIETY OF CULTURAL AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS TO ENRICH THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES. SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES ARE ALSO PROVIDED. VARIOUS COMPUTER LABS AND A 24-HOUR LIBRARY ARE OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS TO SUPPORT THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ALSO HAS A ROTC OFFICE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS.

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 1944.

    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.