Montreat College 
The information on this page was last updated 3/17/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Montreat College is a private, Christian, liberal arts college founded in 1916 and offering associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs for traditional and adult students. Montreat College's main campus for four-year traditional students is located in Montreat, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains just outside Asheville. The college's School of Adult and Graduate Studies also has locations in Asheville, Charlotte, Morganton, and online.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Montreat College
P.O. Box 1267
Montreat, NC 28757
Website: montreat.edu
Phone: 828-669-8012
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 560543261
CEO/President: Paul J. Maurer
Chairman: Dr. Jeffery E. Heck
Board size: 20
Founder: John C. Collins, J.R. Howerton, Robert C. Anderson
Ruling year: 1947
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
Montreat College seeks to be a leader in Christ-centered higher education regionally, nationally, and globally.
Mission statement
Montreat College is an independent, Christ-centered, liberal arts institution that educates students through intellectual inquiry, spiritual formation, and preparation for calling and career, all to impact the world for Jesus Christ
Statement of faith
The trustees and employees of Montreat College constitute an academic community of caring believers committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Students are welcomed to this Christian community regardless of belief.
The trustees and employees commit themselves to the following faith statement drawn from the college's Reformed tradition:
We believe in one sovereign God, eternally existing in three persons: God the Father; His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior; and the Holy Spirit, the giver of life. (Daniel 4:25, 35; Mark 12:29; John 1:1, 14, 18; 14:28; 15:26; 16:28; Romans 9:15-23; Revelation 4:11)
We believe the Bible, the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is the infallible Word of God, completely inspired and authoritative, and is to govern Christians in every aspect of life and conduct. (I Thessalonians 2:13; II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21)
We believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, whom the Father sent into the world to atone for the sin of humanity. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and lived a life without sin. He was crucified and rose victoriously from the dead. Through His gift of grace, we as believers are redeemed for all eternity and are reconciled to the Heavenly Father. (Luke 1:26-37; 2:6, 7; John 3:16; Romans 3:10, 23; Romans 5:12-15; I John 3:8)
We believe the Holy Spirit is a free gift to believers from the Father and the Son to live within us and to empower us to love and obey the Lord and His Word. (John 14:15-17; John 16: 5-15; Ephesians 1:13-14)
We believe the Triune God is the sole Creator and Sustainer of the universe. God created all things and declared all He created to be good. After creating Adam and Eve in His own image, in a state of original righteousness, and distinct from all other living creatures, the Lord gave to all humanity the responsibility of caring for His world. (Genesis 1-2; John 1:1-18)
We believe God's good and perfect creation became tainted in every aspect by sin from humanity's rebellion against God. We acknowledge the existence, evil power, and influence of Satan. (Genesis 3; Ephesians 6:12)
We believe the Church is all who believe in and confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and receive God's grace. We are called by God to be His one body of believers, gathered in communities. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Church's call is to declare His Good News of salvation to the fallen and lost world, to make disciples, and to serve all who are wounded, broken, and neglected. (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18; Romans 10:9-10; II Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:8-9; 4)
We believe all those who profess Jesus as Savior and Lord are to follow in His Way and are to live as those who magnify and glorify Him, the Head of His Church. As forgiven followers, we are called to live holy and blameless lives through the power of the Holy Spirit until that time when Jesus Christ shall return in all His glory. (I Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 4:22-24; Hebrews 10:14; I John 3:4-9; 4:4; 5:1-5)
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Colleges/Universities
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 545 of 1076 | 68 of 130 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 741 of 1077 | 97 of 130 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 708 of 1077 | 84 of 130 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 184 of 1076 | 13 of 130 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 11% | 17% | 15% | 11% | 11% | 12% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 18% | 13% | 19% | 20% | 23% | 24% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 82% | 87% | 81% | 80% | 77% | 76% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 81% | 82% | 83% | 83% | 83% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 95% | 102% | 101% | 97% | 96% | 98% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 79% | 83% | 83% | 80% | 80% | 82% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 5% | -2% | -1% | 3% | 4% | 2% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 4% | -3% | -1% | 5% | 5% | 3% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 13% | 17% | 15% | 15% | 14% | 14% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.50 | 0.96 | 0.92 | 0.86 | 0.84 | 0.81 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.66 | 2.77 | 3.07 | 3.09 | 3.48 | 3.30 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.54 | 2.65 | 2.82 | 2.66 | 2.94 | 2.68 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 7.30 | 4.26 | 2.51 | 2.64 | 2.41 | 2.36 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.14 | 0.23 | 0.40 | 0.38 | 0.41 | 0.42 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 6.41 | 3.47 | 2.56 | 2.81 | 2.39 | 2.58 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 25% | 43% | 41% | 42% | 42% | 46% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 15% | 27% | 20% | 17% | 19% | 17% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 143% | 60% | 64% | 67% | 69% | 67% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Cash | $4,363,312 | $3,854,388 | $1,157,678 | $3,167,028 | $4,301,669 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $3,174,019 | $3,118,766 | $5,763,099 | $3,701,954 | $2,774,563 |
| Short-term investments | $3,026,493 | $2,604,872 | $2,561,402 | $1,531,646 | $1,873,588 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $10,563,824 | $9,578,026 | $9,482,179 | $8,400,628 | $8,949,820 |
| Long-term investments | $1,612,182 | $1,581,911 | $1,600,880 | $2,729,885 | $1,636,659 |
| Fixed assets | $14,625,330 | $15,070,594 | $15,077,267 | $13,787,600 | $12,828,798 |
| Other long-term assets | $2,430,247 | $3,162,280 | $3,099,477 | $4,344,455 | $6,105,669 |
| Total long-term assets | $18,667,759 | $19,814,785 | $19,777,624 | $20,861,940 | $20,571,126 |
| Total assets | $29,231,583 | $29,392,811 | $29,259,803 | $29,262,568 | $29,520,946 |
| Liabilities | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $2,037,318 | $2,796,586 | $2,612,555 | $2,730,065 | $2,806,448 |
| Other current liabilities | $442,230 | $1,018,048 | $981,558 | $748,740 | $993,466 |
| Total current liabilities | $2,479,548 | $3,814,634 | $3,594,113 | $3,478,805 | $3,799,914 |
| Debt | $7,974,316 | $5,882,413 | $5,078,960 | $5,481,369 | $4,970,131 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $2,011,552 | $2,433,691 | $3,727,788 | $3,276,165 | $4,695,121 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $9,985,868 | $8,316,104 | $8,806,748 | $8,757,534 | $9,665,252 |
| Total liabilities | $12,465,416 | $12,130,738 | $12,400,861 | $12,236,339 | $13,465,166 |
| Net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Without donor restrictions | $7,230,509 | $8,579,964 | $10,492,957 | $10,553,494 | $9,759,153 |
| With donor restrictions | $9,535,658 | $8,682,109 | $6,365,985 | $6,472,735 | $6,296,627 |
| Net assets | $16,766,167 | $17,262,073 | $16,858,942 | $17,026,229 | $16,055,780 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Total contributions | $3,597,892 | $5,172,826 | $5,194,277 | $5,910,813 | $5,809,165 |
| Program service revenue | $23,222,910 | $21,219,760 | $19,970,484 | $18,935,884 | $18,143,489 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | ($9,061) | ($30,087) | $467,657 | $322,346 | $296,763 |
| Other revenue | $613,846 | $509,298 | $393,287 | $445,853 | $240,408 |
| Total other revenue | $23,827,695 | $21,698,971 | $20,831,428 | $19,704,083 | $18,680,660 |
| Total revenue | $27,425,587 | $26,871,797 | $26,025,705 | $25,614,896 | $24,489,825 |
| Expenses | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Program services | $22,634,214 | $22,201,396 | $20,801,304 | $20,512,616 | $20,009,218 |
| Management and general | $4,726,912 | $4,076,064 | $3,819,803 | $3,511,279 | $3,277,176 |
| Fundraising | $621,471 | $770,314 | $556,070 | $661,884 | $691,352 |
| Total expenses | $27,982,597 | $27,047,774 | $25,177,177 | $24,685,779 | $23,977,746 |
| Change in net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($557,010) | ($175,977) | $848,528 | $929,117 | $512,079 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($557,010) | ($175,977) | $848,528 | $929,117 | $512,079 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Paul Maurer | President | $274,523 |
| Jack Heinen | CFO | $129,812 |
| Joseph Kirkland | Counselor To the President | $116,214 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2020
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 3/17/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
1897: The beauty and tranquility of the Blue Ridge Mountains led Congregationalist minister John C. Collins to form the Mountain Retreat Association "for the encouragement of Christian work and living through Christian convention, public worship, missionary work, schools, and libraries."
1907: J. R. Howerton of Charlotte, NC, conceived and carried out the idea of purchasing Montreat for the Presbyterian Church in the United States.
1913: Dr. Robert C. Anderson, president of the Mountain Retreat Association, proposed that the grounds and facilities of the Association be used for a school during the academic year.
1915: The General Assembly decreed "that the property of the Mountain Retreat Association be used for a Normal School and that the establishment of the school be referred to the Synods."
1916: The Synods of Appalachia, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia elected trustees who met in Montreat on May 2. They elected Dr. Robert F. Campbell of Asheville, NC, chairman; Mr. W. T. Thompson Jr. of Knoxville, TN, secretary; and Ruling Elder T. S. Morrison of Asheville, NC, treasurer.
1916: The Montreat Normal School, a four-year preparatory and two-year college combination, opened its first session in October with eight students. Montreat Normal School continued to grow over the years. Throughout times of war, economic fluctuations, and rapid social change, the school sought to provide a Christian context for young women who were there to be trained as teachers.
1934: Montreat Normal School (College Department) was renamed Montreat College during Dr. Robert C. Anderson's tenure as president. The college grew as its academic program expanded.
1945: Montreat College began a four-year college for women.
1959: After 14 years as a four-year women's college, Montreat was restructured as a coeducational junior college and given a new name: Montreat-Anderson College.
1986: Realizing the demands and changing circumstances in higher education, the college Board of Trustees made the decision to once again become a baccalaureate institution. The dream of its first president, Dr. Anderson, was for the college to serve as an accredited baccalaureate institution. The college has realized that dream.
1995: The original name of Montreat College was restored in August, sharing the original vision and identity. The change reflects the Montreat College of today-a four-year college with several growing campuses and a graduate program.
1996: The Asheville campus held its grand opening.
1998: Montreat College was accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as a level three institution to offer the master's degree in business administration. Since then, Montreat College has added four more master's degrees to its program offerings: the Master of Arts in Education, the Master of Science in Management and Leadership, the Master of Science in Environmental Education, and the Master of Arts in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling.
2001: Montreat College purchased 72 acres of land with 21 buildings in Black Mountain in the summer.
2011: Montreat College School of Adult and Graduate Studies opened a new campus in Morganton.
2013: Montreat College launched three fully online programs, offering its Christ-centered education in the virtual world.
2014: Dr. Paul J. Maurer began his presidency on July 21, 2014, with an inauguration ceremony held on October 3.
2015: A $2 million athletic complex serving nine athletic teams was constructed on the Black Mountain Campus.
2015-16: Montreat College celebrated its centennial year.