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Boston Islamic Seminary

EIN 81-5432436 · Chelsea, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceFair58 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BOSTON ISLAMIC SEMINARY, INC (THE ORGANIZATION) WAS INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS ON JULY 1, 2018. THE MISSION OF THE SEMINARY IS TO PREPARE EXEMPLARY AND PROFESSIONAL AMERICAN MUSLIM RELIGIOUS LEADERS FOR THE PRESENT AND FUTURE. IT IS THE SPIRITUAL VIEW OF THE FOUNDERS THAT ISLAM IS RELEVANT FOR ALL TIMES AND PLACES, BUT THAT THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE AND THE BEST APPLICATION OF ISLAMIC PRINCIPLES VARY BY CONTEXT. THIS RELIGIOUS GOAL IS TO TRAIN STUDENTS TO BECOME DEEPLY CONVERSANT WITH THE QUR'AN, SUNNAH, AND THE SCHOLARLY TRADITION OF ISLAM RELIGION AS IT HAS EVOLVED OVER TIME, INCORPORATING THE HISTORY AND SOCIO- CULTURAL CONTEXT THAT SHAPES ISLAM IN AMERICA AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS SEEK TO PROVIDE AMERICAN MUSLIMS WITH THE TOOLS REQUIRED TO SERVE COMMUNITIES WITH COMPASSION IN A MULTITUDE OF ROLES. THE ORGANIZATION WILL WORK ZEALOUSLY TO DEVELOP VIBRANT MEMBERS OF AMERICA'S PLURALISTIC SOCIETY, COLLABORATING WITH PEOPLE OF ALL

Income
$646,868
Spending
$678,553
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
10.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%
Employees
10

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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $455,354 spent. SEMESTER COURSES: NONDEGREE SEMESTER COURSES THAT SERVE OVER 250 REGISTERED STUDENTS. THE BOSTON ISLAMIC SEMINARY SERVE ITS STUDENT POPULATION BY OFFERING NONDEGREE SEMESTER COURSES FOR VARIOUS STUDYING TRACKS. THE BIS IS APPROVED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO AWARD A MASTER'S DEGREE IN ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP.

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 October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2017 for not filing returns for three years. The IRS now lists it as tax-exempt again.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2018.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.