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Spalding University

EIN 61-0444780 · Louisville, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SPALDING UNIVERSITY IS A DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS DEDICATED TO MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE TIMES IN THE TRADITION OF THE SISTERS OF CHARITY OF NAZARETH THROUGH QUALITY UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE LIBERAL AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES, GROUNDED IN SPIRITUAL VALUES, WITH EMPHASIS ON SERVICE AND THE PROMOTION OF PEACE AND JUSTICE.

Income
$39.9 million
Spending
$42.4 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
732
Volunteers
58
Highest pay
$191,779, provost

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: 44 out of 100. Higher than 20% 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

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 22 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $25.5 million spent. INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS: STUDENTS GRADUATING FROM THE ATHLETIC TRAINING MASTER'S DEGREE ACHIEVED A 100% PASS RATE AND 100% JOB PLACEMENT RATE FOR THE 2024-25 GRADUATING CLASS. THE DOCTOR OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM ACHIEVED A 98% INTERNSHIP MATCH RATE FOR THE 2024-25 ACADEMIC YEAR AND 89% OF DOCTOR OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY STUDENTS PASSED THE NATIONAL BOARD OF CERTIFICATION FOR (OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (NBCOT) EXAMINATION. SPALDING EXPANDED ITS ACADEMIC OFFERINGS TO INCLUDE MASTER'S DEGREES IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, HEALTH SCIENCE, LEARNER-CENTERED PRACTICES, LEARNER-CENTERED SYSTEMS, AND MANAGEMENT. THREE UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES WERE ALSO ADDED: CYBERSECURITY, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, AND PROFESSIONAL WRITING. SPALDING'S ONLINE LEARNING CONTINUED TO EXPAND THROUGH COURSE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS AND ENHANCED FACULTY TRAINING.
  2. $2.9 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES: THE SPALDING EAGLES ATHLETIC TEAMS ARE A SOURCE OF PRIDE FOR THE UNIVERSITY. BOTH THE MEN'S SOCCER AND MEN'S BASEBALL TEAMS EARNED A SPOT IN THE NCAA DIVISION III TOURNAMENT IN 2024. ADDITIONALLY, ESPORTS AND MEN'S VOLLEYBALL WERE ADDED TO THE UNIVERSITY'S ATHLETIC TEAM PORTFOLIO. SPALDING UNIVERSITY MAINTAINED ITS STRONG COMMITMENT TO STUDENT SUPPORT. COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES (CAPS) PROVIDED OVER 275 THERAPY SESSIONS, WHILE EAGLE CARE OFFERED FLU AND COVID VACCINE CLINICS AND ADDED A NEW NURSE PRACTITIONER. STUDENT ENGAGEMENT REMAINED STRONG WITH EVENTS IN RESIDENCE LIFE, EXPANDED USE OF THE PELICAN PANTRY, AND PEER-LED LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE PROGRAM.
  3. $6.5 million spent. ACADEMIC SUPPORT: SPALDING ADVANCED STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH TARGETED ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND LEARNING RESOURCES. THE STUDENT ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER PROVIDED 500+ TUTORING SESSIONS, WITH INCREASED PARTICIPATION IN WRITING SUPPORT, SUCCESS COACHING, AND ELL SERVICES. EAGLE SCHOLARS AND SUMMER BRIDGE PROGRAMS CREATED STRUCTURED PATHWAYS FOR STUDENTS REQUIRING ADDITIONAL ACADEMIC PREPARATION. CAMPUS LEARNING RESOURCES INCLUDING THE LIBRARY, READING LAB, MATH LAB, AND WRITING CENTERSUPPORTED COURSE SUCCESS AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT, WITH TAILORED SERVICES FOR FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS.

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 March 1974.

    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.