Belmont University
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
BELMONT UNIVERSITY IS A CHRIST-CENTERED AND STUDENT FOCUSED CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY PROVIDING AN ACADEMICALLY CHALLENGING EDUCATION THAT EMPOWERS MEN AND WOMEN OF DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS TO ENGAGE AND TRANSFORM THE WORLD WITH DISCIPLINED INTELLIGENCE, COMPASSION, COURAGE AND FAITH.
- Income
- $579.5 million
- Spending
- $493.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- -8.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 72%
- Employees
- 4,701
- Volunteers
- 80
- Highest pay
- $1.6 million, head men's basketball coach
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
Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 21% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2528 of 28 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (1)
- $368.5 million spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, INSTRUCTION AND STUDENT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO MORE THAN 8,800 STUDENTS, OFFERING MORE THAN 190 UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS THROUGH ITS TWELVE COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS, INCLUDING THE MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS, COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, THE MASSEY COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, AND THE COLLEGE OF LAW. BELMONT OFFERS INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS IN FIFTEEN DIFFERENT SPORTS, COMPETING IN THE MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE (MEN'S TENNIS IS AN AFFILIATE MEMBER OF THE HORIZON LEAGUE). BELMONT STUDENT-ATHLETES HAVE COMPILED IMPRESSIVE RECORDS, BOTH ON AND OFF THE PLAYING COURT AND FIELD. BELMONT IS THE ONLY INSTITUTION IN AMERICA WHOSE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PROGRAMS HAVE WON 20 OR MORE GAMES IN 10 CONSECUTIVE SEASONS. BELMONT HAS WON ITS CONFERENCE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 21 OF THE LAST 23 YEARS. STUDENT ACTIVITIES ROUND OUT THE COLLEGIATE EXPERIENCE, WITH A FOCUS ON CAMPUS LIFE AND COMMUNITY, STUDENT HEALTH AND WELFARE, AND STUDENT ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT. THERE ARE CURRENTLY MORE THAN 200 CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS.
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
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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1951.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 7, 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.