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Carson-Newman University

EIN 62-0479189 · Jefferson Cty, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak30 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MISSION OF CHALLENGE, NURTURE, COMMUNITY: CARSON-NEWMAN COLLEGE OFFERS A CHRISTIAN, LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT ENCOURAGES OPEN INTELLECTUAL INQUIRY AND DEEPER SPIRITUAL MATURITY. STUDENTS RECEIVE A PERSONALIZED EDUCATION IN SMALL CLASSES. CARING FACULTY AND STAFF MENTORS GET TO KNOW AND NURTURE EACH STUDENT. WE SEEK TO INSTILL CHRISTIAN VALUES IN OUR STUDENTS AND INSPIRE THEM TO USE UNIQUE GIFTS FOR A LIFETIME OF SERVICE. THE HISTORIC BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND COMPASSION FOR OTHERS CREATE A WELCOMING COMMUNITY THAT FOSTERS A SENSE OF BELONGING. THE CULTURAL HERITAGE AND GEOGRAPHIC BEAUTY OF THE APPALACHIAN REGION ENRICHES THE CARSON-NEWMAN EXPERIENCE, AND THE COLLEGE CONTRIBUTES TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION ADN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THIS NATIONAL TREASURE. VISION: TO BECOME A PREMIER CHRISTIAN LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE WITH A WORLD-WIDE IMPACT.

Income
$48.4 million
Spending
$58.9 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
-15.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 84%
Employees
1,183
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$238,374, president

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

Financial health

Weak: 30 out of 100. Higher than 3% 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

    10 of 20

    It owes 49% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    35 of 35 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 July 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 (5)
  1. CARSON-NEWMAN COLLEGE IS A PRIVATE, CHRISTIAN-BASED LIBERAL-ARTS NOT-FOR- PROFIT INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION WHICH IS OPERATED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE TENNESSEE BAPTIST CONVENTION. THE COLLEGE PROVIDES UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE INSTRUCTION TO APPROXIMATELY 2,669 STUDENTS, ACADEMIC SUPPORT THAT INCLUDES LIBRARY SERVICES, TUTORING, AND ENGLISH INSTRUCTION FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES.
  2. CARSON-NEWMAN COLLEGE PROVIDES STUDENT SERVICES THAT INCLUDE ADMISSIONS, ORIENTATION, REGISTRATION, FINANCIAL-AID ASSISTANCE COUNSELING, ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND CAREER COUNSELING, PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING, INTRAMURAL PROGRAMS, AND INTER-COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS.
  3. CARSON-NEWMAN COLLEGE PROVIDES AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES THAT INCLUDE HOUSING FOR APPROXIMATELY 805 FULL-TIME STUDENTS RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS, FOOD SERVICE, A BOOKSTORE, AND FACILITIES FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS OPERATED BY LIFEWAY MINISTRIES FOR APPROXIMATELY 4000 CHILDREN.
  4. $51.9 million spent. CARSON-NEWMAN COLLEGE INTEGRATES ITS STUDENTS INTO BENEVOLENT MINISTRIES THAT IT OPERATES TO SERVICE THE INDIGENT (APPALACHIAN OUTREACH SPONSORS MISSION TRIPS, PROVIDES HOME REPAIR, A FOOD PANTRY, CLOTHING, HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE TUTORING AND LIFE SKILLS TRAINING AND ITS SAMARITAN HOUSE PROVIDES TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES IN EAST TENNESSEE).
  5. CARSON-NEWMAN COLLEGE INTEGRATES ITS STUDENTS INTO BENEVOLENT MINISTRIES THAT IT OPERATES TO SERVICE THE INDIGENT (APPALACHIAN OUTREACH SPONSORS MISSION TRIPS, PROVIDES HOME REPAIR, A FOOD PANTRY, CLOTHING, HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE TUTORING AND LIFE SKILLS TRAINING AND ITS SAMARITAN HOUSE PROVIDES TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES IN EAST TENNESSEE).

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending July 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1933.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.