Northwestern University Settlement
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
NORTHWESTERN SETTLEMENT NURTURES, EDUCATES, AND EMPOWERS CHICAGOANS TO OVERCOME THE ROOT CAUSES OF POVERTY AND ACHIEVE LASTING SELF-SUFFICIENCY - WITH COMPASSION, DIGNITY, AND RESPECT.
- Income
- $21.0 million
- Spending
- $19.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- -0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 74%
- Employees
- 233
- Volunteers
- 143
- Highest pay
- $318,643, president, ceo
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
Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 29% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 21 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 (10)
- $11.2 million spent. ROWE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - NORTHWESTERN SETTLEMENT'S K-8 PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL - NURTURES, EDUCATES, AND EMPOWERS 685 SCHOLARS TO OVERCOME SYSTEMIC BARRIERS AND ACHIEVE LASTING SUCCESS. IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE SETTLEMENT'S MISSION, ROWE CULTIVATES A CULTURE OF HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND COLLEGE READINESS, ENSURING SCHOLARS ARE EQUIPPED TO THRIVE ACADEMICALLY AND BEYOND. MANY GRADUATES MATRICULATE TO SELECTIVE ENROLLMENT HIGH SCHOOLS, AND WE STRIVE TO MATCH EACH SCHOLAR WITH THEIR BEST-FIT HIGH SCHOOL TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM SUCCESS. (Expenses $ 2,460,536 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 50,639) EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION - OFFERS FULL-DAY PRESCHOOL PROGRAMMING TO 64 CHILDREN AGES 2-5 YEARS OLD FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, AS WELL AS SUPPORTIVE PARENTING SERVICES. OUR SITE IS ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC), AND CARRIES AN EXCELERATE ILLINOIS GOLD CIRCLE OF QUALITY RATING. (Expenses $ 820,528 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) FAMILY CARES CENTER - A PARTNERSHIP WITH CHILDREN'S HOME + AID, PROVIDES ON-SITE COUNSELING AND OTHER FAMILY WELLNESS SERVICES FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN IN THE SETTLEMENT'S PRESCHOOL AND ROWE ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL. THIS PROGRAM BEGAN IN JUNE 2017, AND NOW SERVES 95 YOUTH. (Expenses $ 743,577 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) FOOD PANTRY AND SUPPORT SERVICES - PROVIDES BASIC HUMAN NEEDS ASSISTANCE TO OVER 4,200 INDIVIDUALS IN CRITICAL NEED. COMPONENTS INCLUDE A FOOD PANTRY, DIRECT ASSISTANCE (CLOTHING, HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES, AND BABY NEEDS), COUNSELING AND REFERRALS, AND HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE. COLLABORATE WITH AMERICCORPS PROJECT YES TO IMPLEMENT THE GOLDEN AGERS SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB AND SUPPORT GROUP. (Expenses $ 601,675 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) TEEN PROGRAM-PROVIDING HEALTHY OUT-OF-SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES TO TEENAGERS FOR GROWTH AND ENRICHMENT IS ESSENTIAL FOR STRONG, STABLE COMMUNITIES. LIKE THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, OUR TEEN PROGRAM HELPS DISRUPT GENERATIONAL POVERTY BY PROVIDING FREE OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME ACTIVITIES TO YOUTH AGES 13 TO 17 IN THE AREAS OF ART, STEM, WELLNESS AND NUTRITION, AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING. (Expenses $ 140,134 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) ADVENTURE STAGE CHICAGO IS NORTHWESTERN SETTLEMENT'S PERFORMING ARTS SPACE, VITTUM THEATER HOLDS 299-SEATS. THE THEATER SERVES AS A VIBRANT HUB FOR PERFORMANCES, CREATIVE EXPRESSION, AND YOUTH-CENTERED PROGRAMMING, WELCOMING THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS EACH YEAR. (Expenses $ 0 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 961,705) FACILITY RENTALS (Expenses $ 0 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 68,056) OTHER PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE
- $1.1 million spent. HOUSE IN THE WOOD CAMP - NORTHWESTERN SETTLEMENT'S YEAR-ROUND RESIDENTIAL CAMP IN DELAVAN, WI FOR INNER-CITY CHICAGO YOUTH. EACH YEAR, HOUSE IN THE WOOD SERVES OVER 400 CHILDREN AGES 7-17 DURING ITS SUMMER CAMP SESSION. IN THE SPRING AND FALL, HOUSE IN THE WOOD HOSTS STEM EDUCATION RESIDENCIES AT ITS OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS. BETWEEN THESE PROGRAMS AND THE CAMP'S USE AS A RETREAT CENTER, 1,500 YOUTH BENEFIT FROM HOUSE IN THE WOOD ANNUALLY. HOUSE IN THE WOOD IS ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION (ACA) AND RECEIVED THE INAUGURAL ACA-ILLINOIS GORDIE KAPLAN PROGRAM EXCELLENCE AWARD IN 2015, AS WELL AS THE ACA'S NATIONAL 2016 ELEANOR P. EELLS AWARD FOR PROGRAM EXCELLENCE.
- $1.1 million spent. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM - GUIDE AND ENRICH THE LIVES OF 200 ROWE SCHOLARS AGES 5-12 AFTER SCHOOL DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR AND ALL DAY DURING THE SUMMER. SUMMER ACTIVITIES ARE DESIGNED TO LESSEN THE IMPACT OF THE "SUMMER SLIDE" IN BETWEEN SCHOOL YEARS. (Expenses $ 2,460,536 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 50,639) EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION - OFFERS FULL-DAY PRESCHOOL PROGRAMMING TO 64 CHILDREN AGES 2-5 YEARS OLD FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, AS WELL AS SUPPORTIVE PARENTING SERVICES. OUR SITE IS ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC), AND CARRIES AN EXCELERATE ILLINOIS GOLD CIRCLE OF QUALITY RATING. (Expenses $ 820,528 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) FAMILY CARES CENTER - A PARTNERSHIP WITH CHILDREN'S HOME + AID, PROVIDES ON-SITE COUNSELING AND OTHER FAMILY WELLNESS SERVICES FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN IN THE SETTLEMENT'S PRESCHOOL AND ROWE ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL. THIS PROGRAM BEGAN IN JUNE 2017, AND NOW SERVES 95 YOUTH. (Expenses $ 743,577 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) FOOD PANTRY AND SUPPORT SERVICES - PROVIDES BASIC HUMAN NEEDS ASSISTANCE TO OVER 4,200 INDIVIDUALS IN CRITICAL NEED. COMPONENTS INCLUDE A FOOD PANTRY, DIRECT ASSISTANCE (CLOTHING, HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES, AND BABY NEEDS), COUNSELING AND REFERRALS, AND HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE. COLLABORATE WITH AMERICCORPS PROJECT YES TO IMPLEMENT THE GOLDEN AGERS SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB AND SUPPORT GROUP. (Expenses $ 601,675 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) TEEN PROGRAM-PROVIDING HEALTHY OUT-OF-SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES TO TEENAGERS FOR GROWTH AND ENRICHMENT IS ESSENTIAL FOR STRONG, STABLE COMMUNITIES. LIKE THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, OUR TEEN PROGRAM HELPS DISRUPT GENERATIONAL POVERTY BY PROVIDING FREE OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME ACTIVITIES TO YOUTH AGES 13 TO 17 IN THE AREAS OF ART, STEM, WELLNESS AND NUTRITION, AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING. (Expenses $ 140,134 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) ADVENTURE STAGE CHICAGO IS NORTHWESTERN SETTLEMENT'S PERFORMING ARTS SPACE, VITTUM THEATER HOLDS 299-SEATS. THE THEATER SERVES AS A VIBRANT HUB FOR PERFORMANCES, CREATIVE EXPRESSION, AND YOUTH-CENTERED PROGRAMMING, WELCOMING THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS EACH YEAR. (Expenses $ 0 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 961,705) FACILITY RENTALS (Expenses $ 0 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 68,056) OTHER PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE
- $2.5 million spent. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION - OFFERS FULL-DAY PRESCHOOL PROGRAMMING TO 64 CHILDREN AGES 2-5 YEARS OLD FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, AS WELL AS SUPPORTIVE PARENTING SERVICES. OUR SITE IS ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC), AND CARRIES AN EXCELERATE ILLINOIS GOLD CIRCLE OF QUALITY RATING.
- $820,528 spent. FAMILY CARES CENTER - A PARTNERSHIP WITH CHILDREN'S HOME + AID, PROVIDES ON-SITE COUNSELING AND OTHER FAMILY WELLNESS SERVICES FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN IN THE SETTLEMENT'S PRESCHOOL AND ROWE ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL. THIS PROGRAM BEGAN IN JUNE 2017, AND NOW SERVES 95 YOUTH.
- $743,577 spent. FOOD PANTRY AND SUPPORT SERVICES - PROVIDES BASIC HUMAN NEEDS ASSISTANCE TO OVER 4,200 INDIVIDUALS IN CRITICAL NEED. COMPONENTS INCLUDE A FOOD PANTRY, DIRECT ASSISTANCE (CLOTHING, HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES, AND BABY NEEDS), COUNSELING AND REFERRALS, AND HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE. COLLABORATE WITH AMERICCORPS PROJECT YES TO IMPLEMENT THE GOLDEN AGERS SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB AND SUPPORT GROUP.
- $601,675 spent. TEEN PROGRAM-PROVIDING HEALTHY OUT-OF-SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES TO TEENAGERS FOR GROWTH AND ENRICHMENT IS ESSENTIAL FOR STRONG, STABLE COMMUNITIES. LIKE THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, OUR TEEN PROGRAM HELPS DISRUPT GENERATIONAL POVERTY BY PROVIDING FREE OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME ACTIVITIES TO YOUTH AGES 13 TO 17 IN THE AREAS OF ART, STEM, WELLNESS AND NUTRITION, AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING.
- $140,134 spent. ADVENTURE STAGE CHICAGO IS NORTHWESTERN SETTLEMENT'S PERFORMING ARTS SPACE, VITTUM THEATER HOLDS 299-SEATS. THE THEATER SERVES AS A VIBRANT HUB FOR PERFORMANCES, CREATIVE EXPRESSION, AND YOUTH-CENTERED PROGRAMMING, WELCOMING THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS EACH YEAR.
- FACILITY RENTALS
- OTHER PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1947.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Northwestern University (Evanston, IL), EIN 36-2167817. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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