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Scholarship America

CharityWatch report issued
March 2022

Top-Rated Charity
A+
CharityWatch Grade
Our independent grade based
on a number of factors.
 
94%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$2
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

Scholarship America
One Scholarship Way
Saint Peter, MN 56082

Other Names

Dollars for Scholars

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

To be the most trusted scholarship and student success organization offering impactful solutions with students always at the forefront.

View similar charities
Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 12/31/2020

Program Percentage: 94%

The percentage of Scholarship America's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$147,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $2

How many dollars Scholarship America spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$125,000,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
Scholarship America IRS Form 990 04-2296967
Scholarship America Audited Financial Statements 04-2296967
Entity: Scholarship America
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 04-2296967
Entity: Scholarship America
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 04-2296967

Governance & Transparency

CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
This charity is Top-Rated
What does it mean to be Top-Rated?
 
Scholarship America
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Scholarship America
meets transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy No Sharing  

  Name Title Compensation
1 Robert Ballard President/CEO $386,683
2 Rhianna Quinn Roddy Executive Director, FOF $274,424
3 Richard Greene CFO $266,018
1
Name: Robert Ballard
Title: President/CEO
Compensation: $386,683
2
Name: Rhianna Quinn Roddy
Title: Executive Director, FOF
Compensation: $274,424
3
Name: Richard Greene
Title: CFO
Compensation: $266,018

CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.

According to the Scholarship America audit of December 31, 2020 (Note 7, Paycheck Protection Program Note Payable):

"On April 9, 2020, Scholarship America entered into a new loan facility with Bremer Bank, NA under the government enacted Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) (part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Stability Act) administered by the Small Business Administration. Scholarship America borrowed $2,229,200 under the loan facility. The loan carries a fixed interest rate of 1 percent and matures on April 9, 2022. No payments were required for the first six months. Subsequent regulations deferred payments until the date on which the amount of forgiveness is remitted to the lender or, if Scholarship America fails to apply for forgiveness within ten months after the covered period, then payment of principal and interest shall begin on that date. Borrowings under this facility are unsecured. Loans under the PPP have a loan forgiveness feature based on the level of payroll, rent and utilities costs over a twenty-four week period commencing on the date of the loan. The PPP loan is recorded as a refundable advance in the December 31, 2020 statement of financial position. Scholarship America applied for forgiveness in December 2020 and has not received notification of forgiveness."


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