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Fuller Theological Seminary

EIN 95-1699394 · Pasadena, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak41 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

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

THE SEMINARY IS A MULTI-DENOMINATIONAL POST-BACCALAUREATE SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS LEARNING THAT PREPARES STUDENTS FOR CHRISTIAN VOCATIONS THROUGH ITS TWO SCHOOLS: SCHOOL OF MISSION & THEOLOGY AND SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY & MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPY.

Income
$57.5 million
Spending
$68.4 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
-2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 57%
Employees
1,015
Volunteers
29
Highest pay
$416,996, president/trustee

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

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 16% 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

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    28 of 29 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    0 of 10

    Reports 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 (5)
  1. $34.7 million spent. FULLER SEMINARY IS A MULTIDENOMINATIONAL GRADUATE INSTITUTION THAT HAS EQUIPPED VISIONARY MINISTERS, SCHOLARS, TEACHERS, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, AND INTERCULTURAL LEADERS TO SHARE CHRIST'S HOPE AND HEALING IN THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD SINCE 1947. WITH GRADUATE DEGREES, CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS, AND PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES DELIVERED THROUGH TWO SCHOOLS AND A GLOBAL ONLINE COMMUNITY OF STUDENTS AND LEARNERS, FULLER COMPREHENSIVELY PREPARES JESUS-LED WOMEN AND MEN TO BECOME COMPASSIONATE, RESILIENT LEADERS.THE SCHOOL OF MISSION AND THEOLOGY OFFERS STUDENTS INDISPENSABLE EDUCATION FOR EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IN VOCATIONS IN MINISTRY, MISSIONS, THE MARKETPLACE, AND BEYOND. THE SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY & MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY - A PIONEER IN THE INTEGRATION OF PSYCHOLOGY AND CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY - TRAINS STUDENTS IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF CLINICAL EXCELLENCE, RESEARCH INNOVATION, AND ACADEMIC DISTINCTION. FULLER'S DIVERSE STUDENT BODY INCLUDES MORE THAN 2,500 STUDENTS FROM 76 COUNTRIES, 51 US STATES AND TERRITORIES, AND 104 DENOMINATIONS.
  2. $12.5 million spent. FULLER PSYCHOLOGICAL & FAMILY SERVICES, THE CLINIC OF THE FULLER SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY & MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY, OFFERS HIGH QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE THERAPY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS ONLINE AND IN-PERSON. OUR INTEGRATIVE APPROACH HONORS MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT WHILE RESPECTING ALL CULTURES, BACKGROUNDS, AND TRADITIONS.
  3. $3.9 million spent. FULLER OFFERS A FULL RANGE OF AFFORDABLE APARTMENT-STYLE HOUSING OPTIONS, AVAILABLE YEAR-ROUND FOR ELIGIBLE GRADUATE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, JUST MINUTES AWAY FROM THE PASADENA CAMPUS.
  4. $1.2 million spent. A GENEROUS DONOR HAS PROVIDED FUNDS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO GRANT TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AS THEY WORK TO FURTHER ENRICH THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
  5. $128,871 spent. IN RESPONSE TO THE EATON FIRE IN JANUARY 2025, WE CREATED A FUND THAT WAS FINANCED BY CARING DONORS TO ASSIST FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS AFFECTED BY THE DISASTER.

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 June 1952.

    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.