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Bellarmine University

EIN 61-0482955 · Louisville, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak43 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BELLARMINE UNIVERSITY EDUCATES STUDENTS THROUGH UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN THE LIBERAL ARTS AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES. THE UNIVERSITY IS AN INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY SERVING THE REGION, NATION, AND WORLD THROUGH POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.

Income
$144.5 million
Spending
$148.6 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
-3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 86%
Employees
1,523
Volunteers
360
Highest pay
$493,939, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 9% 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 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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

    26 of 26 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 May 31, 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. $97.4 million spent. INSTRUCTION: 2,241 STUDENTS IN UNDERGRADUATE CLASSES; 646 STUDENTS IN GRADUATE CLASSES; 774 STUDENTS GRADUATED IN 2024-2025 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR.
  2. $7.1 million spent. AUXILIARY HOUSING: AUXILIARY STUDENT HOUSING IS THE MAJOR AUXILIARY ENTERPRISE. LIVING QUARTERS WERE PROVIDED TO 1,005 STUDENTS IN THE RESIDENCE HALLS. THE ON-CAMPUS FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM AND CAMPUS STORE ARE INCLUDED IN TOTAL AUXILIARY ENTERPRISE.
  3. $21.3 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES: THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS ENCOMPASS THE MAJOR AREAS OF THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT SERVICES DIVISION: STUDENT AFFAIRS, ADMISSIONS AND ENROLLMENT SERVICES, OFFICE OF FINANCIAL AID, REGISTRAR'S OFFICE, HEALTH AND COUNSELING SERVICES, RECREATION, AND INTRAMURAL OFFICES.
  4. $4.9 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE: ATHLETIC SUPPORT, LIBRARY AND COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, AND SUPPORT FOR THE ACADEMIC DIVISIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 May 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 October 1952.

    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.