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Foundation for Western Washington University and Alumni

EIN 91-6073519 · Bellingham, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION FOR WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY AND ALUMNI IS A NON-PROFIT, PUBLIC 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION THAT ADVANCES THE MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY: "BY INSPIRING OUR COMMUNITY TO GIVE, WE SECURE AND STEWARD PRIVATE RESOURCES TO ADVANCE SCHOLARSHIP, RESEARCH AND CREATIVITY."THE FOUNDATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1966 AS A VEHICLE TO RECEIVE AND ENCOURAGE PRIVATE GIVING TO WWU. THE FOUNDATION IS LED BY A GROUP OF DEDICATED BOARD MEMBERS WHO GROW AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PRIVATE SUPPORT TO PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. THESE ALUMNI, PARENT AND COMMUNITY LEADERS BRING THEIR EXPERIENCES IN BUSINESS, EDUCATION, SCIENCE, AND NON-PROFITS AND SHARE THE COMMON MISSION OF ENGAGING NEW FRIENDS FOR WESTERN WHILE ALSO STEWARDING THE MORE THAN $175 MILLION IN ASSETS UNDER THE FOUNDATION'S MANAGEMENT. GIFTS FUND STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS, AS WELL AS PROGRAM AND FACULTY MEMBER SUPPORT.

Income
$12.1 million
Spending
$25.8 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
16.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
0
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$356,897, 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 114% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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

    25 of 25 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. $5.2 million spent. HIGHER EDUCATION: 2,387 SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS.
  2. $17.6 million spent. HIGHER EDUCATION: PROVIDE OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES TO WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY TO INCLUDE EQUIPMENT PURCHASES, FACULTY AND STUDENT TRAVEL, CONFERENCES, HONORARIA, SUPPLIES, AND OTHER.
  3. $133,550 spent. HIGHER EDUCATION: GRANT GIFTS OF IN-KIND PROPERTY RECEIVED FOR WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY TO INCLUDE COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE, TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT, ART COLLECTIONS AND GALLERY, LIBRARY ADDITIONS AND OTHER.

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 October 1967.

    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.