Association of Boards in Theological Education

What it reported doing in 2025

Resource consulting: the in trust center for theological schools is committed to walking alongside our member schools as they focus on achieving their mission. We provide individualized support through resource consulting. Resource consulting is based on a well-established learning model of institutional change: sustained and effective organizational learning comes when an institution augments its own assets and creativity with appropriate external resources. Combining internal assets with external resources like knowledge, tools, and talent empowers leaders to address challenges and take advantage of opportunities. Two initiatives that fall under this program are: 1. Resource grants - an in trust center resource grant is a dollar-for-dollar matching grant of up to $15,000 that is intended to address a particular innovative challenge or opportunity within an institution. The in trust center hopes that through a resource grant, a member school will engage an outside resource that allows them to support their work and further their school's mission. All member schools of the in trust center are eligible to apply for a resource grant; however, schools may not apply for a grant the subsequent year after receiving one. Schools must also show how they are providing matching funds.2. The wise stewards initiative focuses on building board capacity for better institutional governance. The curriculum, resources, and format of the three-year project have been designed especially for executive leadership and governing boards of theological schools by experienced educators, administrators, and consultants, all of whom have firsthand knowledge of graduate theological education. Participating schools receive practical insights, wise practices, tools, and strategies for inspiring and educating current and future board members. The program content is organized around four areas: o creating space for innovation, leading change, and maximizing potential.o reimagining governance as a force for change.o the president/board partnership in institutional renewal.o roles and responsibilities of boards of theological schools

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 98.8%; rating input score 99
• Program expense ratio: 87.7%; rating input score 88
• Fundraising efficiency: $34.38 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 72; 72nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 93.8%; rating input score 94; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -12.4%; rating input score 8; 8th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 5.76; rating input score 83; 83rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 75; 75th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 17.9%; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 11.8% per year; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 3.1% per year; rating input score 100; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 9.5% per year; rating input score 100; 55th percentile among comparable filings