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The Northern Michigan University Foundation

EIN 23-7034523 · Marquette, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NMU FOUNDATION WILL ESTABLISH AND FOSTER RELATIONSHIPS TO GENERATE RESOURCES THAT BENEFIT THE STRATEGIC GOALS OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY.

Income
$12.6 million
Spending
$5.0 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
36.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
0
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$338,752, chief executive officer - part year

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 36.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 60% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 107% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or 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. $1.6 million spent. SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER FINANCIAL AID - PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS, ENABLING THEM TO OBTAIN A COLLEGE EDUCATION.
  2. $1.2 million spent. ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS AND PROGRAMS - PROVIDE SUPPORT TO NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY'S ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS AND PROGRAMS TO INCREASE THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ITS STUDENTS.
  3. $429,745 spent. PUBLIC TELEVISION - PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS FOR NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY'S PUBLIC TV STATION, BENEFITING THE RESIDENTS OF THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN WHO CHOOSE TO VIEW IT.
  4. $405,491 spent. PUBLIC RADIO (405,491) - PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS FOR NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY'S PUBLIC RADIO STATION, BENEFITING THE RESIDENTS OF THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN WHO CHOOSE TO LISTEN TO IT.
  5. $172,378 spent. ATHLETICS (172,378) - PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR VARIOUS ATHLETIC PROGRAMS AT NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY, BENEFITING NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETES, STUDENTS, AND AREA RESIDENTS.

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 September 1969.

    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.