Lewis and Clark College
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
LEWIS & CLARK IS A PREMIER PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION OFFERING AN EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION IN AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT. BY FOSTERING CRITICAL THINKING, INNOVATION, CREATIVITY, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND LEADERSHIP, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM, WE PREPARE OUR STUDENTS FOR LIFELONG SUCCESS IN A CONNECTED, RAPIDLY EVOLVING WORLD. OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT WITH RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP AND EQUIP STUDENTS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO ADVANCE THEIR CAREERS, PROMOTE JUSTICE, AND ADDRESS URGENT SOCIETAL CHALLENGES FACING OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE WORLD.
- Income
- $243.8 million
- Spending
- $243.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- -1.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 87%
- Employees
- 2,443
- Volunteers
- 1,162
- Highest pay
- $494,750, 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: 54 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 28% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2524 of 27 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $159.7 million spent. ACADEMICS: LEWIS & CLARK COLLEGE SUPPORTS ITS EDUCATIONAL MISSION BY PREPARING STUDENTS FOR WORLD CITIZENSHIP THROUGH RIGOROUS CURRICULA AND RICH EXPERIENCES BOTH IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM. THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES OFFERS 29 MAJORS AND 33 MINORS IN THE SCIENCES, ARTS, HUMANITIES, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES. A STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO OF 13 TO 1 IS PROVIDED FOR A DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF STUDENTS FROM 47 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PUERTO RICO, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AND FROM APPROXIMATELY 56 OTHER COUNTRIES. A WIDE RANGE OF OVERSEAS AND OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAMS FORM AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE TOTAL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AT LEWIS & CLARK. THE COLLEGE IS COMMITTED IN HELPING STUDENTS DEVELOP THE SKILLS TO UNDERSTAND, CREATE, AND CONNECT THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE WITH FUTURE GOALS THROUGH PROGRAMS SUCH AS CAREER COUNSELING, INTERNSHIPS, LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT, AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMS. IN SUPPORT OF ITS ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, LEWIS & CLARK OPERATES WELL-STOCKED LIBRARIES, AWARD-WINNING GREEN BUILDINGS, AND OUTSTANDING ATHLETIC FACILITIES. THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND COUNSELING OFFERS NATIONALLY ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS IN A WIDE RANGE OF EDUCATION AND COUNSELING-RELATED FIELDS WITH SCHOLAR-PRACTITIONER FACULTY WHO CONDUCT LEADING RESEARCH IN THEIR ACADEMIC FIELDS, WHILE REMAINING DEEPLY EMBEDDED IN THE REAL NEEDS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES, AGENCIES, AND INSTITUTIONS. DRAWING STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND INTERNATIONALLY, THE LAW SCHOOL HAS A NATIONAL REACH WITH GRADUATES PRACTICING IN MANY AREAS OF LAW. WITH RIGOROUS CLASSROOM TEACHING AND A WIDE VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO GAIN PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE, THE LAW SCHOOL'S ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN RANKED AS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE NATION FOR MANY YEARS. ASIDE FROM TRADITIONAL LAW DEGREE, SPECIAL CERTIFICATES ARE AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS WHO PURSUE A PRESCRIBED CURRICULUM IN BUSINESS, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, TAX, CRIMINAL LAW, GLOBAL LAW, PUBLIC INTEREST LAW, OR ENVIRONMENTAL LAW.
- $18.8 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES: STUDENT EXPERIENCE IS CRITICAL TO OUR MISSION AND LEWIS & CLARK IS DEDICATED IN SUPPORTING STUDENTS' TRANSITION TO COLLEGE BY ENCOURAGING PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, PROMOTING CO-CURRICULAR LEARNING, STIMULATING EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS, AND HELPING PREPARE STUDENTS FOR LIFELONG CAREERS. LEWIS & CLARK IS A RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS, LOCATED ON 137 WOODED ACRES IN SOUTHWEST PORTLAND. FIRST AND SECOND YEAR STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO LIVE ON CAMPUS AND APPROXIMATELY 70% OF ALL LEWIS & CLARK UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS LIVE ON CAMPUS. THE COLLEGE PROVIDES A RANGE OF STUDENT SERVICES AND SUPPORT WITH MORE THAN 100 REGISTERED STUDENT-RUN CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS. THE DIVISION OF STUDENT LIFE PARTNERS WITH THE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS THROUGH THEIR DEVELOPMENT IN ACADEMIC & EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING, CIVIC LEADERSHIP & CAREER DEVELOPMENT, AND WELLNESS. OVER 400 STUDENT-ATHLETES COMPETE IN 20 NCAA DIVISION III SPORTS PROGRAMS OFFERED AT LEWIS & CLARK AND A LARGER NUMBER PARTICIPATE IN OTHER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CLUB AND INTRAMURAL SPORTS. AT THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND COUNSELING, STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM SPECIALIZED SUPPORT IN A RANGE OF AREAS RELATED TO PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, ENDORSEMENTS, AND OTHER JOB RELATED CREDENTIALS. GIVEN THAT GRADUATES PURSUE POSITIONS FROM PORTLAND TO QATAR, THIS CAN BE A COMPLICATED PROCESS, INVOLVING MANY EXTERNAL AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS. STUDENTS ARE GUIDED THROUGH THE PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS RELEVANT TO THEIR SPECIFIC GOALS. THE GRADUATE SCHOOL ALSO SPONSORS A VARIETY OF VISITS BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, MENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES, AND RELATED ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP STUDENTS MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH (AND OFTEN ACTUALLY INTERVIEW WITH) THEIR FUTURE EMPLOYERS. THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT OFFICE WORKS CLOSELY WITH LAW STUDENTS AND PROVIDES SERVICES SUCH AS MAKING MENTORS AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS, MEETING WITH STUDENTS INDIVIDUALLY TO COUNSEL ON CAREER CHOICES, REVIEWING RESUMES, AND TAPING MOCK INTERVIEWS WITH PRACTICING ATTORNEYS.
- $12.2 million spent. ACADEMIC SUPPORT: LEWIS & CLARK IS COMMITTED TO THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF EVERY STUDENT AND CARRIES OUT ITS MISSION THROUGH GIVING EACH STUDENT THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER THEMSELVES AND THE WORLD THROUGH THE STUDY OF THE ARTS, THE HUMANITIES, AND THE MATHEMATICAL, NATURAL, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES. OVER NINETY-ONE PERCENT OF FULL TIME FACULTY HOLD A PH.D. OR TERMINAL DEGREE IN THEIR FIELDS. MANY OF OUR FACULTY ARE ACTIVE IN RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIPS AND HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUSLY SUCCESSFUL IN SECURING PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS AND APPOINTMENTS INCLUDING FULBRIGHT ALUMNI AMBASSADOR, COUNCIL FOR THE ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION (CASE)AND THE CARNEGIE FOUNDATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT FOR TEACHING FOR TEACHER OF YEAR AWARDS. SEVERAL FACULTY MEMBERS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING WITH GRAVES AWARDS IN HUMANITIES AND NUMEROUS FACULTY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN AWARDED FELLOWSHIPS TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AND TEACH ABROAD. AN AVERAGE CLASS SIZE OF 17 ALLOWS CLOSE CONTACT BETWEEN PROFESSORS AND STUDENTS AND CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISCUSSION AND COLLABORATION. OVER 90 PERCENT OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS, NEED-BASED GRANTS, LOANS, OR CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT.IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND COUNSELING, STUDENTS AND FACULTY WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER IN A VARIETY OF CONTEXTS, FROM INTENSIVE FIELD-BASED INTERNSHIPS TO CO-AUTHORING RESEARCH ARTICLES. STUDENTS LEARN NOT ONLY TO BE EXCELLENT PRACTITIONERS, BUT LEADERS AND CHANGE AGENTS. THE LAW SCHOOL FACULTY MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE OUTSIDE OF CLASS FOR MENTORING, AND TO EXPAND ON TOPICS TAUGHT IN CLASSES. IN ADDITION, THE LAW SCHOOL HAS A PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WHO FEEL THE NEED FOR ACADEMIC SUPPORT DURING LAW SCHOOL, AS WELL AS A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ENHANCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF BAR PASSAGE UPON GRADUATION. BEYOND ANYSPECIALIZED MAJORS, STUDENTS HONE THEIR ABILITIES AS KNOWLEDGEABLE AND LOGICAL THINKERS, ARTICULATE SPEAKERS, AND EFFECTIVE WRITERS. THE COLLEGE PROVIDES MANY RESOURCES TO SUPPORT STUDENTS. THESE SERVICES RANGE FROM TUTORING AT THE MATH SKILLS CENTER TO SUPPORT FROM ONE OF OUR COUNSELORS.
- $23.2 million spent. AUXILIARY SERVICES RELATED TO AND SUPPORTING OUR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE SUCH AS STUDENT HOUSING, FOOD SERVICE, CAMPUS BOOKSTORE, PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION, AND SUMMER CONFERENCES.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1946.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.