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Graduate Theological Union

EIN 94-1581707 · Berkeley, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE GRADUATE THEOLOGICAL UNION BRINGS TOGETHER SCHOLARS OF THE WORLD'S DIVERSE RELIGIONS AND WISDOM TRADITIONS TO ADVANCE NEW KNOWLEDGE, SHARE INSPIRATION AND COLLABORATE ON SOLUTIONS. WE CARRY OUT OUR WORK BY:- EDUCATING SCHOLARS FOR VOCATIONS DEVOTED TO STUDY AND SERVICE- EQUIPPING LEADERS FOR A WORLD OF DIVERSE RELIGIONS AND CULTURES- TEACHING PATTERNS OF FAITH THAT ENCOURAGE JUSTICE AND CARE OF THE PLANET- SERVICING AS AN EDUCATIONAL AND THEOLOGICAL RESOURCE FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES, THE NATION, AND THE WORLD

Income
$12.0 million
Spending
$11.0 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
-6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 34%
Employees
115
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$211,697, 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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 55% 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

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 48% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 23 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 (3)
  1. $4.2 million spent. INSTRUCTION AND ACADEMIC SERVICES - PROVIDED INSTRUCTION, ACADEMIC ADVISING AND OTHER SERVICES FOR APPROXIMATELY 160 GTU STUDENTS ENROLLED IN CERTIFICATE, MASTER AND DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAMS. PROVIDED INSTRUCTION TO APPROXIMATELY 300 ADDITIONAL STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE CONSORTIUM.
  2. $2.9 million spent. LIBRARY - OPERATED THE FLORA LAMSON HEWLETT LIBRARY, ONE OF THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE THEOLOGICAL LIBRARIES IN THE UNITED STATES. THE LIBRARY CONTAINS MORE THAN 538,000 BOOKS AND 700 PERIODICAL SUBSCRIPTIONS. IN ADDITION, THE LIBRARY HAS ACCESS TO 126 DATABASES THAT SUPPORT THE STUDY OF RELIGION AS WELL AS 100,000 DIGITAL JOURNAL TITLES, ALL OF WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FOR REMOTE ACCESS.
  3. $224,000 spent. PROVIDED LEARNING MANAGEMENT AND COURSE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO EIGHT MEMBER INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS.

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 2025.

    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 May 1964.

    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 October 21, 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.