Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College maintains strong financial health with over $3 billion in assets and consistent revenue growth.
EIN: 10215213 · Brunswick, ME · NTEE: B420 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $788.7M |
| Total Expenses | $275.4M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Net Assets | $2.6B |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Bowdoin College Legit?
Appears Legitimate
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Bowdoin College directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College (EIN: 10215213) is a nonprofit organization based in Brunswick, ME, classified under NTEE code B420. The organization reported total revenue of $788.7M and total assets of $3.2B according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Bowdoin College's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Bowdoin College is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 91 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 5.8%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $355.2M |
| Total Expenses | $275.4M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$79.9M |
| Total Assets | $3.0B |
| Total Liabilities | $429.8M |
| Net Assets | $2.6B |
| Operating Margin | 22.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 14.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 132.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Bowdoin College reported a surplus of $79.9M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 132.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 14.1% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Bowdoin College's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -13.7% | +7.7% | -1.7% |
| 2022 | +14.7% | +6.3% | -5.9% |
| 2021 | +10.5% | +2.9% | +39.8% |
| 2020 | +14.8% | +-0.0% | -0.9% |
| 2019 | +19.0% | +10.1% | +8.2% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1935 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Bowdoin College with a Mission Score of 85 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Bowdoin College allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $79.9M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 14.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The IRS 990 filings consistently report 0% for officer compensation, which suggests that executive compensation is either not categorized under 'Officer Comp' in the provided summary data or is not a significant portion of the overall expenses, requiring a deeper dive into the full 990 forms for complete transparency.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Bowdoin College:
- Strong asset growth, from $1.7 billion in 2014 to over $3 billion in 2023, indicating excellent financial stewardship.
- Consistent revenue generation, with the latest reported revenue at $355,248,000, supporting its operations.
- Expenses consistently below revenue, demonstrating efficient financial management and sustainability.
- Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating a healthy balance sheet and reduced financial risk.
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), suggesting consistent compliance and transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bowdoin College
Is Bowdoin College a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bowdoin College (EIN: 10215213) appears legitimate. Mission Score: 85/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Bowdoin College spend its money?
Bowdoin College directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Bowdoin College tax-deductible?
Bowdoin College is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 10215213). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Bowdoin College's spending goes to programs?
Bowdoin College directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Bowdoin College compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Bowdoin College is above average for NTEE category B420 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Bowdoin College located?
Bowdoin College is headquartered in Brunswick, Maine and files with the IRS under EIN 10215213. It is classified under NTEE code B420.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Bowdoin College have?
Bowdoin College has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $788.7M in total revenue.
Is Bowdoin College a good charity?
Based on its strong financial health, substantial assets, and consistent revenue generation, Bowdoin College appears to be a well-managed institution. Its ability to maintain a large endowment and operate with expenses consistently below revenue suggests effective financial stewardship, which is a positive indicator for its charitable mission in education.
How has Bowdoin College's financial stability changed over the past decade?
Bowdoin College has demonstrated remarkable financial stability and growth over the past decade. Its assets have nearly doubled from $1,735,882,000 in 201406 to $3,048,898,000 in 202306, while liabilities have remained manageable relative to assets. Revenue has also shown a strong upward trend, indicating robust financial health.
What is the trend in Bowdoin College's revenue and expenses?
Bowdoin College's revenue has generally trended upwards, with some fluctuations, reaching a high of $411,778,000 in 202206. Expenses have also increased over the decade but have consistently remained below revenue, indicating efficient financial management and a surplus that contributes to asset growth.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Bowdoin College showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Bowdoin College's revenue has grown by 96.3%, moving from $181.0M to $355.2M. Total assets increased by 135.6% over the same period, from $1.3B to $3.0B. Total functional expenses rose by 75.6%, from $156.9M to $275.4M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Bowdoin College reported a surplus of $79.9M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $429.8M in liabilities against $3.0B in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 14.1%), resulting in net assets of $2.6B.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $355.2M | $275.4M | $3.0B | $429.8M | — | — |
| 2022 | $411.8M | $255.6M | $3.1B | $436.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $359.1M | $240.3M | $3.3B | $378.8M | — | — |
| 2020 | $325.0M | $233.5M | $2.4B | $376.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $283.0M | $233.6M | $2.4B | $460.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $237.8M | $212.1M | $2.2B | $398.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $232.2M | $200.6M | $2.0B | $407.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $225.2M | $196.0M | $1.8B | $337.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $289.2M | $189.4M | $1.9B | $334.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $235.3M | $181.7M | $1.7B | $333.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $231.5M | $173.2M | $1.6B | $341.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $172.0M | $162.0M | $1.3B | $213.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $181.0M | $156.9M | $1.3B | $203.0M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $355.2M, expenses of $275.4M, and assets of $3.0B (revenue -13.7% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $411.8M, expenses of $255.6M, and assets of $3.1B (revenue +14.7% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $359.1M, expenses of $240.3M, and assets of $3.3B (revenue +10.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $325.0M, expenses of $233.5M, and assets of $2.4B (revenue +14.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $283.0M, expenses of $233.6M, and assets of $2.4B (revenue +19.0% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $237.8M, expenses of $212.1M, and assets of $2.2B (revenue +2.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $232.2M, expenses of $200.6M, and assets of $2.0B (revenue +3.1% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $225.2M, expenses of $196.0M, and assets of $1.8B (revenue -22.1% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $289.2M, expenses of $189.4M, and assets of $1.9B (revenue +22.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $235.3M, expenses of $181.7M, and assets of $1.7B (revenue +1.7% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $231.5M, expenses of $173.2M, and assets of $1.6B (revenue +34.6% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $172.0M, expenses of $162.0M, and assets of $1.3B (revenue -5.0% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $181.0M, expenses of $156.9M, and assets of $1.3B.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Bowdoin College:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Bowdoin College is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.