Northwest University
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
WE, THE PEOPLE OF NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY, CARRY THE CALL OF GOD BY CONTINUALLY BUILDING A LEARNING COMMUNITY DEDICATED TO SPIRITUAL VITALITY, ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, AND EMPOWERED ENGAGEMENT WITH HUMAN NEED.
- Income
- $52.4 million
- Spending
- $48.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- -4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 82%
- Employees
- 740
- Volunteers
- 146
- Highest pay
- $413,349, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 55 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 44% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 80 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 24 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
0 of 10Did not give 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
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 (3)
- $35.2 million spent. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION: NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY PROVIDES POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION TO APPROXIMATELY 2405 STUDENTS ON CAMPUS IN KIRKLAND, WA, AND VIA ONLINE LEARNING MODALITIES. NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY PREPARES OUR STUDENTS TO BE PROFESSIONALS, LAY LEADERS FOR CHURCH MINISTRIES AND OTHER NOT-FOR-PROFIT MINISTRY ORGANIZATIONS. MANY STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO ON MISSION TRIPS TO OTHER COUNTRIES OR TO STUDY ABROAD. NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY SEEKS TO CARRY THE CALL OF GOD THROUGH OUR STUDENTS AND AROUND THE WORLD AS WE BUILD A LEARNING COMMUNITY DEDICATED TO SPIRITUAL VITALITY, ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND EMPOWERED ENGAGEMENT WITH HUMAN NEED.
- $4.5 million spent. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION: UNIVERSITY HOUSING AND FOOD SERVICE FOR STUDENTS DURING THE 2024-25 ACADEMIC YEAR; APPROXIMATELY 477 RESIDENT STUDENTS
- $49,844 spent. POST SECONDARY EDUCATION: UNIVERSITY CONFERENCES AND EVENTS. SERVICED APPROXIMATELY 360 STUDENTS DURING THE 24-25 ACADEMIC YEAR.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 November 6, 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 May 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 1955.
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 November 4, 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 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.