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Eastern Washington University Foundation

EIN 91-1019819 · Cheney, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Eastern Washington University Foundation, a non-profit corporation, was established in 1977 under Washington law to identify, promote, receive, and manage all private gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and associations to Eastern Washington University. The Foundation is the catalyst and conduit through which gifts and endowment income flow to provide immediate and long-term support for the university and its programs. Thus, the Foundation is a tool through which private support is raised and managed for the sole benefit of EWU.Overseen by a Board of Directors and staffed by a professional development team who are university employees, the Foundation administers all gifts in a business-like manner in accordance with the donor's wishes. When gifts are received by EWU colleges or operating units, they are forwarded for gift processing and official acceptance and acknowledgement by the Foundation.

Income
$16.9 million
Spending
$5.4 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
5.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
0
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$291,421, 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 68% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 93% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% 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: 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 (3)
  1. $2.2 million spent. Supporting StudentsFinancial assistance unlocks enormous potential by helping Eastern Washington University students graduate and enter the professional workforce. The EWU Foundation awarded 762 scholarships in 2025. With this support, students can focus on their studies, progress more quickly to their degrees and graduate debt-free or with greatly reduced debt.
  2. $1.9 million spent. Supporting the UniversityEWU is state-assisted rather than state-supported with approximately 30 percent of Eastern's operation budget being provided by state appropriations. Focused on developing the university of the future-one that anticipates student expectations as well as the needs of the 21st century professional workforce-the EWU Foundation rigorously fundraises to account for declining state support. By working to build permanent endowments and future generations of benefactors, the EWU Foundation is taking steps to ensure that students and programs will receive necessary financial support long into the future.
  3. $12,615 spent. Supporting FacultyThe EWU Foundation is committed to supporting faculty and staff proposals that will enhance the university and its mission to provide opportunities for student development, research, and participation. The EWU Foundation awards funds through the Eagle Grants Program. Those funds made learning and development programs possible in disciplines across campus, serving students at the highest level of excellence.

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 June 1978.

    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.