Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Nordic Northwest

EIN 93-0901132 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NORDIC NORTHWEST IS A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION FOCUSED ON THE FIVE NORDIC NATIONS OF DENMARK, FINLAND, ICELAND, NORWAY, AND SWEDEN. NORDIC NORTHWEST IS THE HOME FOR DISCOVERING AND SHARING NORDIC CULTURE FOR THE ENJOYMENT AND ENRICHMENT OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST COMMUNITY. WE INSPIRE PEOPLE TO CREATE A BETTER FUTURE THROUGH EXPERIENCING NORDIC WAYS OF LIVING. OUR VALUES ARE SOCIAL EQUITY AND FAIRNESS, ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY, TRUST AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR, STEWARDSHIP, AND INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
19.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 35%
Employees
15
Volunteers
458
Highest pay
$167,257, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 35 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    5 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 (4)
  1. $509,864 spent. OUR CULTURAL CENTER AND FOUR-ACRE CAMPUS WAS A THRIVING HUB WITH 192,146 PARTICIPANTS (DUPLICATED) AND VISITORS ENGAGED IN OUR EXHIBITS, PROGRAMS, FESTIVALS AND ENJOYING NORDIC CUISINE. NORDIC NORTHWEST PRESENTED A RANGE OF PROGRAMMING WITH 246 CULTURAL PROGRAMS AND 60 PROGRAM PARTNERSHIPS. PROGRAMMING INCLUDED FILMS, PERFORMANCE, LECTURES, CLASSES, AND WORKSHOPS FOCUSED ON ARTS AND CULTURE, HERITAGE AND ANCESTRY, FOOD AND BEVERAGE, WELLNESS AND SLOW LIVING, OUTDOOR LIVING AND NATURE, AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE FOR THE FIVE NORDIC COUNTRIES: DENMARK, FINLAND, ICELAND, NORWAY, AND SWEDEN.
  2. $98,728 spent. SCANFAIR WAS ENJOYED BY A RECORD BREAKING 6,000 PLUS GUESTS AT THE OREGON CONVENTION CENTER WHERE THEY EXPERIENCED THE SIGHTS, SOUNDS, TASTES AND TRADITIONS OF A NORDIC CHRISTMAS MARKET.
  3. $97,089 spent. NORDIC NORTHWEST ADDED 430 NEW MEMEBERS FOR A TOTAL MEMBERSHIP BASE OF 1,661. 458 VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTED 15,598 VOLUNTEER HOURS, WITH A VALUE OF $542,467. 109,878 VISITORS VISITED OLE BOLLE, THE TROLL. 9,929 ATTENDED FESTIVAL EVENTS.
  4. $557,398 spent. VARIOUS PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON NORDIC HERITAGE

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 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 November 6, 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 March 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 1986.

    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 November 4, 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.