University of Northumbria at Newcastle
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE OBJECTIVE OF THE UNIVERSITY IS TO ADVANCE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT, AND TO FURTHER CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES THROUGH THE PROVISION, SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF A UNIVERISTY.
- Income
- $400.7 million
- Spending
- $390.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 64%
- Reserves
- 1.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 82%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $262,500, vice-chancellor
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 29% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1564% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
0 of 250 of 0 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
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2024, 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)
- $218.7 million spent. DUCATION: Northumbria University provides undergraduate and postgraduate education in courses including business, law, engineering, health, and the arts. In 2023/24, over 37,000 students from 138 countries were enrolled. The university maintained a high graduate employment rate and expanded its academic offerings and global partnerships.
- $18.1 million spent. RESEARCH: Our strong performance in the Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) saw us rise to 23rd in the UK for research power, establishing us firmly as a research intensive university. Research funding applications and awards have surged in this financial year, with applications increasing by 29% and awards by 31% over the previous year.One example, which we are really pleased about, is the UKRI-funded Centre for Doctoral Training in Citizen-Centred Artificial Intelligence, a £9 million initiative that welcomed its first cohort of students in September 2024.
- $12.0 million spent. RESIDENCES, CATERING AND CONFERENCING: Northumbria University provides a range of support services that enhance the student experience and engage external stakeholders. These include university-managed student residences housing over 5,000 students annually; on-campus catering outlets offering affordable meals to students and staff; and conferencing facilities that host academic, professional, and community events.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2024, 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 July 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 July 2024.
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.
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.