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Centenary College of Louisiana

EIN 72-0408915 · Shreveport, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$46.8 million
Spending
$46.6 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
-12.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 59%
Employees
616
Volunteers
3,000
Highest pay
$346,766, centenary president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 58 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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

    23 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 June 30, 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)
  1. $38.9 million spent. CENTENARY COLLEGE IS A SELECTIVE, RESIDENTIAL, TIER ONE NATIONAL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE LOCATED IN SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA. FOUNDED IN 1825, IT IS THE OLDEST CHARTERED LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. CENTENARY'S FACULTY AND STAFF PREPARE STUDENTS TO ENGAGE GLOBAL CHALLENGES THROUGH RIGOROUS COURSEWORK, SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES, AND INTERCULTURAL EXPERIENCES BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD. CENTENARY RANKS #1 IN THE NATION AMONG BACCALAUREATE COLLEGES FOR SENDING STUDENTS TO STUDY ABROAD, BEGINNING WITH THE CENTENARY IN PARIS PROGRAM THAT SENDS ALL FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS TO PARIS, FRANCE TO BEGIN THEIR COLLEGE CAREERS. 94% OF CENTENARY STUDENTS WHO APPLY TO MEDICAL SCHOOL ARE ACCEPTED, ALONG WITH 80% OF THOSE WHO APPLY TO LAW SCHOOL. CENTENARY ALSO EXPANDS STUDENTS' ACADEMIC HORIZONS WITH OPPORTUNITIES LIKE A 3/2 PROGRAM IN ENGINEERING AND GUARANTEED INTERVIEW/EXPEDITED ADMISSION AGREEMENTS WITH 10 DIFFERENT GRADUATE/PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS IN MEDICINE, NURSING, ALLIED HEALTH, LAW, AND THEOLOGY. CENTENARY OFFERS MORE THAN 55 STUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS, NCAA DIVISION III ATHLETICS, CULTURAL EVENTS, LECTURES, SERVICE PROJECTS, LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS, AND ACTIVITIES ON A BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS THAT STUDENTS DESCRIBE AS "WELCOMING AND SPIRITED." REGARDLESS OF THEIR CHOSEN FIELD, CENTENARY GRADUATES DRAW ON THEIR SUPERIOR PREPARATION AND EXPERIENCES TO GROW BOLD, THOUGHTFUL, CONFIDENT, KIND, STRONG, AND CLOSE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 1952.

    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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