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Central Washington University Alumni Association

EIN 91-1980504 · Ellensburg, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE ASSOCIATION IS TO SUPPORT THE CWU COMMUNITY THROUGH CULTIVATION, ENGAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF ITS ALUMNI AND FRIENDS.

Income
$259,191
Spending
$68,832
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
0
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$199,840, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 73% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 105% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    57% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (1)
  1. $38,917 spent. VISION STATEMENT: TO BUILD A PASSIONATE WILDCAT NATION.STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY: WE BELIEVE THAT CWU SHOULD BE A COOPERATIVE ENTERPRISE, A COMMUNITY OF STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF, AND ALUMNI, WHOM COLLECTIVELY AND INDIVIDUALLY, ALL ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING, SUPPORTING, AND SUSTAINING THE OBJECTIVES OF CWU. WE BELIEVE THAT OUR ALUMNI COMPRISE AN INTEGRAL AND INSEPARABLE PART OF CWU AND THAT ALL ALUMNI HAVE A CONTINUING OBLIGATION TO SERVE AND SUPPORT THEIR ALMAMATER.WE BELIEVE THAT OUR ALUMNI CAN SERVE CWU BY JOINING TOGETHER IN AN ORGANIZED ASSOCIATION WHICH CAN PROMOTE AND FOCUS SUPPORT AND SERVICE AND THAT THE CONCEPTS FOR DEVELOPING THE ASSOCIATION'S ORGANIZATIONAL POLICIES SHOULD BE DETERMINED BY THE ALUMNI THEMSELVES.WE BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE THE FUNCTION OF ASSOCIATION TO WORK WITH CWU TO DEVELOP WAYS AND MEANS OF ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT, INVOLVEMENT AND COMMUNICATION WITH THEIR ALMA MATER AND TO SEE THAT ALUMNI ARE RECOGNIZED AS A RESPECTED AND INTEGRAL PART OF CWU.THE WORK WE DO IS GUIDED BY THREE STRATEGIC PRINCIPLES:CONNECT = OUTREACHENGAGE = BUILD PARTICIPATIONLEAD = DEVELOP LEADERS AND PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERTHE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HAS MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS AS WE HAVE SOUGHT TO EXPAND OUTREACH AND PARTICIPATION. THE ASSOCIATION CONTINUES TO LOOK FOR CREATIVE PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDING ON CAMPUS, LOCAL, STATE, AND AWARENESS OF THE PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT OFFERED BY THE ASSOCIATION. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ALUMNI PLAZA HAS NOT ONLY CREATED A PLACE FOR ALUMNI TO GATHER ON CAMPUS BUT IS ALSO DOUBLING AS THE COMMENCEMENT STAGE WHERE WE ARE ABLE TO WELCOME OUR MOST RECENT ALUMNI. WE CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH OUR WILDCAT NETWORK OFFICERS TO INCREASE OUR CAPACITY FOR FACE-TO-FACE VISITS AND TO STRENGTHEN OUR WILDCAT BRAND ACROSS THE STATE. WHILE MUCH OF OUR FOCUS CONTINUES TO BE ON CONNECTING OUR CURRENT STUDENTS WITH OUR ALUMNI, WE ARE ALSO EXCITED TO PROMOTE AND MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALUMNI TO GIVE BACK TO THE INSTITUTION IN SUPPORT OF SCHOLARSHIPS.

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 September 1999.

    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.

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