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Belhaven University

EIN 64-0303069 · Jackson, MS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BELHAVEN UNIVERSITY PREPARES STUDENTS ACADEMICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY TO SERVE JESUS CHRIST IN THEIR CAREERS, IN HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS, AND IN THE WORLD OF IDEAS.

Income
$59.1 million
Spending
$62.5 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
-3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 94%
Employees
1,021
Volunteers
71

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 22% 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

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 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.

  • 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, 2024, 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 (2)
  1. $48.8 million spent. BELHAVEN UNIVERSITY IS A CHRISTIAN LIBERAL ARTS UNIVERSITY DEDICATED TO EXCELLENCE IN CHRISTIAN HIGHER EDUCATION. BELHAVEN'S RICH LEGACY WITH A CHRISTIAN CURRICULUM IS CENTERED ON THE BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW. THIS UNIQUE WORLDVIEW CURRICULUM SEAMLESSLY INTERTWINES HISTORY, LITERATURE, ART, MUSIC, AND PHILOSOPHY INTO A CHRONOLOGICAL CORE CURRICULUM FOR ALL INCOMING FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORES. BELHAVEN HAS RECEIVED NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR ITS ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AND AFFORDABILITY, AND THE COLLEGE HAS EARNED REGIONAL ACCREDITATION BY THE COMMISSION ON COLLEGES OF THE SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS (SACS). BELHAVEN IS NATIONALLY ACCREDITED IN ALL FOUR OF THE ARTS: DANCE, MUSIC, THEATRE, AND VISUAL ART. OFFERING 70 AREAS OF STUDY INCLUDING ACADEMIC MAJORS AND CONCENTRATIONS AND A 13:1 STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO FOR THE TRADITIONAL UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM, BELHAVEN PROVIDES A CLOSE-KNIT LEARNING COMMUNITY WHERE STUDENTS SEE THE COLLEGE'S VISION AND MISSION LIVED OUT IN THE LIVES OF FACULTY MEMBERS. ACCREDITED ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS WHO DESIRE DISTANCE LEARNING WITH A CHRISTIAN CURRICULUM. BELHAVEN HAS AN ENROLLMENT OF APPROXIMATELY 6,000 STUDENTS, INCLUDING APPROXIMATELY 3,500 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN ITS NONTRADITIONAL PROGRAM.
  2. $3.9 million spent. AUXILIARY EXPENSES-DORMITORIES, CAFETERIA, VENDING MACHINES, BOOKSTORE AND POST OFFICE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, 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 June 2024.

    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 July 1945.

    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.

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