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Northern Arizona University Fdn Inc

EIN 86-0193726 · Flagstaff, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ADVANCE THE UNIVERSITY THROUGH FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPS, INSPIRING INVESTMENT AND STEWARDSHIP.

Income
$89.0 million
Spending
$31.9 million
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
25.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 69%
Employees
39
Volunteers
900
Highest pay
$353,532, 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 25.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 64% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 227% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $20.4 million spent. THE NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION ("NAUF") IS DEDICATED TO ADVANCING THE UNIVERSITY THROUGH FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPS, INSPIRING INVESTMENT, AND PROVIDING STEWARDSHIP. NAUF HAS HAD ONE OF ITS LARGEST FUNDRAISING YEARS IN HISTORY, PROPELLING THE UNIVERSITY IN TRANSFORMINGLIVES AND ENRICHING COMMUNITIES. DONOR ENDOWMENTS PROVIDED OVER $4 MILLION TO SUPPORT NAU, ADVANCING ACADEMIC MOMENTUM, SUPPORTING STUDENT SUCCESS, IMPROVING POST-COLLEGE OUTCOMES, AND BRINGING VITALITY TO THE ECONOMY AND COMMUNITIES OF ARIZONA AND BEYOND. TO EMPOWER STUDENTS AND HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR ASPIRATIONS, THE NAUF AWARDED OVER 2,300 OR OVER $4 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS. APPROXIMATELY $22 MILLION IN DONOR INVESTMENTS SUPPORTED NAU'S COLLEGES AND DEPARTMENTS, REFLECTING THE UNIVERSITY'S DISTINCTIVE EXCELLENCE OF HIGH-QUALITY ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, AND MISSION-DRIVEN FACULTY AND STAFF, EQUIPPING LUMBERJACKS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS FOR A THRIVING FUTURE.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1965.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.