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Berea College

EIN 61-0444650 · Berea, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BEREA TRANSFORMS THE LIVES OF STUDENTS AND FAMILIES BY ADMITTING STUDENTS OF HIGH PROMISE AND LOW MEANS. CORE TO ITS MISSION OF TRANSFORMING LIVES AND CIRCUMSTANCES, BEREA COLLEGE COVERS ALL COSTS BEYOND WHAT THE STUDENT AID INDEX IN THE FAFSA SPECIFIES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT AND FAMILY. FURTHERMORE, IT COVERS THESE COSTS WITHOUT PACKAGING LOANS, WHICH IS WHY BEREA STUDENTS HAVE THE LOWEST EDUCATIONAL DEBT IN THE COUNTRY.

Income
$212.3 million
Spending
$129.9 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
86.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 65%
Employees
807
Volunteers
156
Highest pay
$516,766, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 86.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 52% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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

    28 of 29 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 (7)
  1. $37.4 million spent. INSTRUCTION - EXPENDITURES OF ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER INSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES BENEFITING APPROXIMATELY 1,500 STUDENTS. (Expenses $ 12,599,014 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 1,343,198) Academic Support - INCLUDES EXPENDITURES FOR THE ACADEMIC VICE PRESIDENT AND DEAN OF FACULTY'S OFFICE, LIBRARY, MEDIA SERVICES, STUDENT LAPTOP COMPUTER PROGRAM, AND OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT THE INSTRUCTIONAL MISSION OF THE COLLEGE. (Expenses $ 6,758,837 including grants of $ 924,539)(Revenue $ 850,477) Public Service - Aligned with its mission, Berea College has a commitment to engage with Appalachian communities through a variety of in-reach and outreach programs. 1) Private, state, and federal funding supports Grow Appalachia's mission to address food insecurity in central Appalachia. 2) Brushy Fork Leadership Institute supports emerging leaders in rural communities funded through Berea College, contract revenue, and private funding. 3) The Appalachian Fund sub-grants monies from Berea College's Appalachian Fund endowment each year to improve the health, education, and general welfare of people living in Appalachia. (Expenses $ 5,597,443 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 4,998,139) Student Industries - STUDENT INDUSTRIES COST OF OPERATIONS (EXCLUDING COST OF SALES) WHICH PROVIDE LABOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS. (Expenses $ 4,142,041 including grants of $ 4,142,041)(Revenue $ 3,500,000) Student Aid - EXPENDITURES FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS AND AWARDS TO STUDENTS. EXPENSES REPORTED INCLUDE PRIMARILY DIRECT STUDENT AID TO ASSIST WITH ROOM AND BOARD, BOOKS AND SUPPLIES. IN ADDITION, ALL DEGREE-SEEKING BEREA COLLEGE STUDENTS RECEIVE A FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIP, ALSO KNOWN AS A COST OF EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP, THAT IS FUNDED PRIMARILY FROM THE SPENDABLE RETURN FROM THE ENDOWMENT. THE AMOUNT OF FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR WAS $81,550,120. THESE EXPENSES ARE PRIMARILY INCLUDED IN THE AREAS OF INSTRUCTION, STUDENT SERVICES, ACADEMIC SUPPORT, ETC.
  2. $19.1 million spent. Student Services - STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS ADMISSIONS, STUDENT LIFE, HEALTH SERVICES, LABOR PROGRAM, AND FINANCIAL AID.
  3. $14.3 million spent. Residence Halls and/Food Service - RESIDENCE HALLS AND DINING SERVICE FOR STUDENTS. (Expenses $ 12,599,014 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 1,343,198) Academic Support - INCLUDES EXPENDITURES FOR THE ACADEMIC VICE PRESIDENT AND DEAN OF FACULTY'S OFFICE, LIBRARY, MEDIA SERVICES, STUDENT LAPTOP COMPUTER PROGRAM, AND OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT THE INSTRUCTIONAL MISSION OF THE COLLEGE. (Expenses $ 6,758,837 including grants of $ 924,539)(Revenue $ 850,477) Public Service - Aligned with its mission, Berea College has a commitment to engage with Appalachian communities through a variety of in-reach and outreach programs. 1) Private, state, and federal funding supports Grow Appalachia's mission to address food insecurity in central Appalachia. 2) Brushy Fork Leadership Institute supports emerging leaders in rural communities funded through Berea College, contract revenue, and private funding. 3) The Appalachian Fund sub-grants monies from Berea College's Appalachian Fund endowment each year to improve the health, education, and general welfare of people living in Appalachia. (Expenses $ 5,597,443 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 4,998,139) Student Industries - STUDENT INDUSTRIES COST OF OPERATIONS (EXCLUDING COST OF SALES) WHICH PROVIDE LABOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS. (Expenses $ 4,142,041 including grants of $ 4,142,041)(Revenue $ 3,500,000) Student Aid - EXPENDITURES FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS AND AWARDS TO STUDENTS. EXPENSES REPORTED INCLUDE PRIMARILY DIRECT STUDENT AID TO ASSIST WITH ROOM AND BOARD, BOOKS AND SUPPLIES. IN ADDITION, ALL DEGREE-SEEKING BEREA COLLEGE STUDENTS RECEIVE A FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIP, ALSO KNOWN AS A COST OF EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP, THAT IS FUNDED PRIMARILY FROM THE SPENDABLE RETURN FROM THE ENDOWMENT. THE AMOUNT OF FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR WAS $81,550,120. THESE EXPENSES ARE PRIMARILY INCLUDED IN THE AREAS OF INSTRUCTION, STUDENT SERVICES, ACADEMIC SUPPORT, ETC.
  4. $12.6 million spent. Academic Support - INCLUDES EXPENDITURES FOR THE ACADEMIC VICE PRESIDENT AND DEAN OF FACULTY'S OFFICE, LIBRARY, MEDIA SERVICES, STUDENT LAPTOP COMPUTER PROGRAM, AND OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT THE INSTRUCTIONAL MISSION OF THE COLLEGE.
  5. $6.8 million spent. Public Service - Aligned with its mission, Berea College has a commitment to engage with Appalachian communities through a variety of in-reach and outreach programs. 1) Private, state, and federal funding supports Grow Appalachia's mission to address food insecurity in central Appalachia. 2) Brushy Fork Leadership Institute supports emerging leaders in rural communities funded through Berea College, contract revenue, and private funding. 3) The Appalachian Fund sub-grants monies from Berea College's Appalachian Fund endowment each year to improve the health, education, and general welfare of people living in Appalachia.
  6. $5.6 million spent. Student Industries - STUDENT INDUSTRIES COST OF OPERATIONS (EXCLUDING COST OF SALES) WHICH PROVIDE LABOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS.
  7. $4.1 million spent. Student Aid - EXPENDITURES FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS AND AWARDS TO STUDENTS. EXPENSES REPORTED INCLUDE PRIMARILY DIRECT STUDENT AID TO ASSIST WITH ROOM AND BOARD, BOOKS AND SUPPLIES. IN ADDITION, ALL DEGREE-SEEKING BEREA COLLEGE STUDENTS RECEIVE A FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIP, ALSO KNOWN AS A COST OF EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP, THAT IS FUNDED PRIMARILY FROM THE SPENDABLE RETURN FROM THE ENDOWMENT. THE AMOUNT OF FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR WAS $81,550,120. THESE EXPENSES ARE PRIMARILY INCLUDED IN THE AREAS OF INSTRUCTION, STUDENT SERVICES, ACADEMIC SUPPORT, ETC.

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 February 1953.

    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.