Northwestern University

Analysis

Northwestern University is a registered charity in United States, based in Evanston, IL. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in May 1945, 81 years ago. Its declared purposes cover recreation and sports, which this site groups under amateur sport and recreation. The IRS classifies it as a school under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending August 2023, Northwestern University reported income of $3.32bn and spending of $3.66bn, spending 110% of what it took in. Across the 4 years on record, from August 2019 to August 2023, income grew from $3.11bn to $3.32bn (+6.8%), an average of +2.2% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to August 2021, when income rose by 17%. Over the whole period it spent 96% of the income it received.

Among 30,892 United States charities whose main cause is amateur sport and recreation and that reported income, Northwestern University sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile, and in the 100th percentile within IL. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include National Collegiate Athletic Association ($1.26bn), Southeastern Conference ($852.6m) and Atlantic Coast Conference ($706.6m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending August 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 16% and program service revenue 77% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $20.9m (0.6% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $1.32bn. It paid $109k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $18.48bn against liabilities of $3.54bn, net assets of $14.95bn. It reported 26,167 employees.