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Lipscomb University

EIN 62-0485733 · Nashville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE ARE A CHRIST-CENTERED COMMUNITY PREPARING LEARNERS FOR PURPOSEFUL LIVES THROUGH RIGOROUS ACADEMICS AND TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCES.

Income
$272.1 million
Spending
$254.9 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
-9.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
2,579
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$722,140, 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

Fair: 50 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 50% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 25 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 (6)
  1. $135.3 million spent. INSTRUCTIONAL EXPENSES:CLASSROOM AND ONLINE AND GLOBAL INSTRUCTION IN A COLLABORATIVE CHRISTIAN LIBERAL ARTS LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FROM PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THE DOCTORAL LEVEL AND BEYOND WITH LIFELONG LEARNING.
  2. $36.7 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES:ENGAGING STUDENT LIFE IN A DYNAMIC AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY THAT GIVES STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE REAL WITH THEMSELVES AND EACH OTHER WHILE PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SERVICE AND LEARNING.
  3. $19.7 million spent. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES:PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH THE ENGAGING ON-CAMPUS LIPSCOMB EXPERIENCE. STUDENTS WHO LIVE ON CAMPUS TYPICALLY EXPERIENCE A STRONG SENSE OF POSITIVE COMMUNITY.
  4. $20.8 million spent. ACADEMIC SUPPORT:INCLUDES ACADEMIC COUNSELING & TESTING SERVICES, ACADEMIC PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY DEANS, INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY, LIBRARY SERVICES, AND OTHER AREAS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE A STUDENT'S LEARNING EXPERIENCE AND THE OVERALL QUALITY OF A STUDENT'S EDUCATION.
  5. $965,789 spent. PUBLIC SERVICES:INCLUDES COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES, SPIRITUAL FORMATION ACTIVITIES, AND SUSTAINABILITY WHERE LIPSCOMB CAN POSITIVELY IMPACT COMMUNITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
  6. RESEARCH:INCLUDES POTENTIAL DISCOVERIES OF NEW OUTCOMES WITH A GOAL OF ADVANCING PROGRESS BOTH INSTITUTIONALLY AND GLOBALLY.

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 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 May 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 December 1940.

    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.