Northeastern Illinois University Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THE FOUNDATION IS TO DEVELOP PRIVATE SUPPORT ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY, TO PROMOTE THE UNIVERSITY'S MISSION AND TO RECEIVE AND ADMINISTER CONTRIBUTIONS. IN THIS WAY, THE FOUNDATION PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THAT THE UNIVERSITY REMAINS HIGHLY AFFORDABLE, WHILE RETAINING THE HIGHEST ACADEMIC STANDARDS. PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS, WHEN ADDED TO STATE RESOURCES, ADD AN EXTRA DIMENSION OF SUPPORT THAT OTHERWISE WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.
- Income
- $2.2 million
- Spending
- $1.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 6.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 54%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $140,643, executive director
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
Good: 78 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 40% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% 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.
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $1.8 million spent. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING SUPPORT TO NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025: 1) THE NEIU FOUNDATION RAISED $1,225,910 IN CONTRIBUTIONS AND GRANTS, OF WHICH$270,910 WERE RESTRICTED TO THE FOUNDATION'S ENDOWMENT TO BENEFIT FUTURE STUDENTS AND UNIVERSITY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING ACADEMIC AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS, COLLEGES, DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER UNITS; 2) THE NEIUFOUNDATION PROVIDED $1,118,786 TO THE UNIVERSITY, WHICH INCLUDED $925,984 FOR THE SUPPORT OF VARIOUS ACADEMIC, GRANT, AND INSITUTIONAL ACTIVITIES. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED $864,185 OF SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS, SOME OF WHOM WOULD NOT OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM THE EXCELLENT EDUCATION AVAILABLE AT NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)MOST NORTHEASTERN STUDENTS (72%) RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID OF SOME KIND, AND A CRITICAL PART OF THIS SUPPORT COMES FROM PRIVATE DONATIONS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1969.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: University of Illinois Foundation (Champaign, IL), EIN 37-6006007. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.