Pomona College
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY, POMONA COLLEGE HAS EDUCATED MEN AND WOMEN OF EXCEPTIONAL PROMISE. WE GATHER INDIVIDUALS, REGARDLESS OF FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, INTO A SMALL RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY THAT IS STRONGLY ROOTED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA YET GLOBAL IN ITS ORIENTATION. THROUGH CLOSE TIES AMONG A DIVERSE GROUP OF FACULTY, STAFF AND CLASSMATES, POMONA STUDENTS ARE INSPIRED TO ENGAGE IN THE PROBING INQUIRY AND CREATIVE LEARNING THAT ENABLE THEM TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS THEIR INTELLECTUAL PASSIONS. THIS EXPERIENCE WILL CONTINUE TO GUIDE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AS THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS, SCHOLARS, ARTISTS AND ENGAGED MEMBERS OF SOCIETY TO FULFILL THE VISION OF THE COLLEGE'S FOUNDERS: TO BEAR THEIR ADDED RICHES IN TRUST FOR ALL.
- Income
- $501.7 million
- Spending
- $318.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 49.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 60%
- Employees
- 2,985
- Volunteers
- 1,997
- Highest pay
- $1.6 million, 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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 49.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 36% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 52% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 43 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2528 of 29 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
10 of 10Gave 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
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (4)
- $149.9 million spent. INSTRUCTION AND RESEARCH: CONSISTENTLY RANKED AS ONE OF THE TOP NATIONAL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES ACCORDING TO U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT, POMONA COLLEGE OFFERS AN ACADEMIC PROGRAM THAT ENCOMPASSES THE MAJOR FIELDS OF THE ARTS, HUMANITIES, NATURAL SCIENCES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES. LEARNING IS ENCOURAGED THROUGH THEORY-BUILDING AND EMPIRICAL RESEARCH, HISTORICAL AND LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS, INQUIRY AND ETHICAL DEBATE. POMONA'S LIBERAL ARTS CURRICULUM, SMALL CLASSES, RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS AND SOPHISTICATED LABORATORIES AND STUDIOS PREPARE STUDENTS FOR LIVES OF PERSONAL FULFILLMENT AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT. POMONA GRADUATES NOT ONLY RECEIVE EXCELLENT LIFELONG PREPARATION FOR A WIDE RANGE OF CAREERS, BUT ALSO ARE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP THE RATIONAL DISCRIMINATION, AESTHETIC APPRECIATION, COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING THAT ONLY KNOWLEDGE CAN FOSTER. IN 2024-25, 18 RECIPIENTS FROM POMONA COLLEGE WERE AWARDED FULBRIGHT AWARDS, PLACING POMONA AS A TOP PRODUCER OF FULBRIGHT STUDENTS AMONG BACHELOR'S INSTITUTIONS, AS REPORTED BY THE CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION. POMONA OFFERS 48 FIELDS OF STUDIES / MAJORS IN THE NATURAL SCIENCES, HUMANITIES, SOCIAL SCIENCES FINE ARTS AND INTERDISCIPLINARY FIELDS. ALSO COMMON ARE DOUBLE MAJORS AND INDIVIDUAL SPECIAL MAJORS, CRAFTED BY THE STUDENT WITH GUIDANCE FROM FACULTY. FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS DELVE INTO A CRITICAL INQUIRY SEMINAR TO DEVELOP SKILLS IN CRITICAL THINKING, ANALYSIS AND WRITING. POMONA'S SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROGRAM ENABLES STUDENTS TO CONDUCT EXTENDED, FOCUSED RESEARCH IN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH A POMONA FACULTY MEMBER, WITH PROJECTS TAKING PLACE BOTH ON CAMPUS AND IN THE FIELD. THE COLLEGE OFFERS ABOUT 650 COURSES EACH YEAR, AND STUDENTS ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO NEARLY 2,700 COURSES AT THE CLAREMONT COLLEGES.
- $42.7 million spent. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES: A MAJORITY OF POMONA COLLEGE STUDENTS RESIDE IN CAMPUS HOUSING THROUGHOUT THEIR COLLEGE CAREER, A TESTAMENT TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE ON CAMPUS. THE SCALE AND ARRANGEMENT OF POMONA'S 14 RESIDENCE HALLS ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER. RANGING IN SIZE FROM 60 TO 250 STUDENTS, WITH AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 120 EACH, THESE COEDUCATIONAL RESIDENCES ARE LARGE ENOUGH TO BRING TOGETHER STUDENTS WITH A VARIETY OF INTERESTS AND EXPERIENCES, BUT SMALL ENOUGH TO ALLOW RESIDENTS TO WORK IN COHESIVE GROUPS. POMONA PROVIDES SELF-OPERATED DINING AND CATERING SERVICES AT THREE DINING HALLS. POMONA'S GOAL IS TO SERVE FOOD THAT IS HEALTHY, FRESH AND DELICIOUS AND THAT IS PRODUCED IN A JUST AND SUSTAINABLE MANNER, WHILE MINIMIZING WASTE THROUGH RESPONSIBLE DISPOSAL AND COMPOSTING. THE INSTRUCTIONAL AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS ARE FURTHER SUPPORTED BY BRIDGES AUDITORIUM, A PERFORMING ARTS CENTER THAT SEATS 2,500, AND SEAVER THEATRE, A COMPREHENSIVE THEATRE COMPLEX FEATURING A 350-SEAT AUDITORIUM AND 100-SEAT EXPERIMENTAL THEATRE SPACE. ATHLETIC FACILITIES INCLUDE A CENTER FOR ATHLETICS, RECREATION AND WELLNESS, THE HALDEMAN AQUATICS CENTER, AND FIELDS FOR SOFTBALL, BASEBALL, TRACK, SOCCER, FOOTBALL, LACROSSE AND MORE. POMONA COLLEGE HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS TO MAKE THE CAMPUS MORE SUSTAINABLE, INCLUDING BUILDING THE FIRST LEED-PLATINUM LARGE-SCALE RESIDENCE HALLS IN THE WEST, TO INSTALLING SOLAR ENERGY AND REMOVING IMPERMEABLE SURFACES AND REPLACING THEM WITH DROUGHT RESISTANT LANDSCAPING AND PERMEABLE GROUND COVER. THE COLLEGE HAS PLEDGED TO BE CARBON-NEUTRAL BY 2030 AS PART OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES PRESIDENTS' CLIMATE COMMITMENT (ACUPCC).
- $32.2 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES: POMONA COLLEGE OFFERS STUDENTS A WIDE VARIETY OF PROGRAMS TO EXTEND THEIR EDUCATION BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, INCLUDING MORE THAN 300 STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE CLAREMONT COLLEGES CONSORTIUM, SPORTS, THE STUDENT LIFE NEWSPAPER, STUDENT GOVERNMENT AMONG OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE WITH THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY. THE COLLEGE ALSO ASSISTS STUDENTS WITH ORIENTATION, REGISTRATION AND ACADEMIC COUNSELING. FROM THEIR FIRST YEAR AT POMONA, STUDENTS CAN TURN TO THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT OFFICE (CDO), WHICH PROVIDES RESOURCES, SERVICES AND CAREER ADVISING. STUDENTS ALSO CAN APPLY FOR THE CDO'S PROGRAM OF SUMMER INTERNSHIPS IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD. IN ADDITION, POMONA STUDENTS CAN STUDY AWAY FROM CAMPUS EITHER IN THE U.S. OR ABROAD THROUGH THE EXTENSIVE PROGRAMMING OF THE COLLEGE'S OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL & DOMESTIC PROGRAMS. THE CLAREMONT COLLEGES' STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES STRESSES PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE AND HEALTH AWARENESS, WHILE MONSOUR COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES. POMONA COLLEGE ALSO PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH 24/7 ON DEMAND ACCESS TO MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. THE INTERFAITH OFFICE OF THE CHAPLAINS DIRECTS THE PROGRAMS OF THE CLAREMONT COLLEGES' MCALISTER CENTER FOR RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES, ASSISTING STUDENTS IN MAKING CONTACT WITH MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITY OF BELIEF. WORKING CLOSELY WITH STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF, THE DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS AIMS TO PROVIDE SERVICES, ACTIVITIES, AND RESOURCES THAT SUPPORT THE COLLEGE'S EDUCATIONAL ENTERPRISE AND ENABLE EACH STUDENT TO LEARN, GROW, AND DEVELOP WHILE AT POMONA.
- $56.2 million spent. OTHER-PUBLIC SERVICE, INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT, ACADEMIC SUPPORT: IN ORDER TO FACILITATE OUR PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION AND RESEARCH, POMONA COLLEGE PROVIDES INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT THROUGH OUR BUSINESS OFFICE, ALUMNI RELATIONS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES, COMMUNICATIONS, MAJOR GIFTS/GIVING AND STAFF EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO KEEP OUR STAFF INFORMED OF NEW AND DEVELOPING WAYS TO ADVANCE OUR PRIMARY MISSION. THE DRAPER CENTER FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS IS THE COLLEGE'S MAIN AVENUE FOR FOSTERING MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL EXCHANGES AMONG COMMUNITY MEMBERS, STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF IN ORDER TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH INITIATIVES, COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH AND LEARNING, AND OTHER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES. THE DRAPER CENTER'S SIGNATURE PROGRAM, THE POMONA COLLEGE ACADEMY FOR YOUTH SUCCESS (PAYS), IS A COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT AIMS TO INCREASE THE POOL OF STUDENTS PREPARED TO ENTER HIGHLY SELECTIVE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. THROUGH THE DRAPER CENTER, POMONA STUDENTS CAN EXPLORE AN ASSORTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING COLLABORATIVE THEATRE WITH LOCAL MIDDLE-SCHOOL STUDENTS, FOOD RESCUE FOR LOCAL SHELTERS, EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH, VOLUNTEERING DURING SPRING BREAK AND TAKING CLASSES WITH COMMUNITY COLLABORATION. TEACHING FROM ORIGINAL WORKS OF ART IS CENTRAL TO THE MISSION AT THE BENTON MUSEUM OF ART AT POMONA COLLEGE. THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR THE MUSEUM OFFERS A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS HIGHLIGHTING THE EXHIBITIONS AND COLLECTIONS OF THE MUSEUM AND CONNECTING POMONA STUDENTS WITH THE ARTS AND CONCERNS OF OUR TIME. POMONA COLLEGE FACULTY UTILIZES THE MUSEUM, ITS EXHIBITIONS, AND ITS COLLECTIONS AS A RESOURCE FOR TEACHING, AND AS A SUBJECT FOR RESEARCH AND WRITING.
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
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 June 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 December 1954.
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.