Luther College is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Decorah, Iowa, registered in 1935, with $120,773,398 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 89% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2024)
$120.8M
▼ 8.6% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2024)
$118.5M
Net assets
$304.3M
Employees
1,794
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Luther College: 89% to programs · $17 to raise $100 earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Luther College: 31 mo reserves · +2% margin earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Luther College: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Luther College: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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On a campus of more than 800 acres along the banks of the upper iowa river in decorah, iowa, luther is a true residential campus, with 96 percent of students living on campus and nearly 95 percent of faculty choosing to live within five miles of it. luther's student body includes 1,369 men and women (47 percent and 50 percent, respectively) from 35 states and 76 foreign countries. u.s. students of color constitute 13.0 percent of the student body. approximately 70 percent of luther students volunteer during their time here, exhibiting the high service ethic intrinsic to luther culture. the college strives to be a place where people of all convictions can realize personal, intellectual, and spiritual growth.
Academic support and student services: the center for academic enrichment provides services, based on best practices in learning assistance, including needs assessment, student-to-student tutoring, and one-on-one instruction with professional staff. in collaboration with faculty and other staff, cae coordinates specialized services for students with disabilities, manages the academic alert system, and supports initiatives of the advising program. academic advising is done by faculty. research and technology support are provided through an extensive library program. the college has more than 100 student organizations along with college ministries, health services, and recreation and wellness programs. approximately 70% of students are engaged in work study to serve the luther community, gain important work experience, and earn money toward expenses.
Auxiliary enterprises: luther college maintains a rural residential campus to enhance the educational experience of the student body with room and board programs designed to encourage a spirit of collegiality and conversation beyond the classroom and laboratory. in fall 2024, luther's residence halls housed 1,310 students or 96% of total fall enrollment. 1,206 students used the college's dining service.
Public service: offerings to the broader community include a college radio station, conferences and seminars, a performing arts series and a variety of programs in the arts, athletics, sciences, and leadership development for high school students.research: the college receives grants for faculty/student research collaboration, particularly in the sciences. the college dedicates space, resources, and faculty time for collaborative investigation with students. research projects across the curriculum occur during the academic year and in the summer.
Revenue declined from $130.1M (FY2013) to $120.8M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
1.9%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$343.6M
Total liabilities
$39.3M
Net assets
$304.3M
Salaries & benefits
$38.2M
32% of expenses
Board members
23
22 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $120,773,398▼8.6% | $118,523,384▲0.3% | $304,306,965▲4.4% | $343,571,141▲5.2% | 990 |
| 2023 | $132,162,013▲16.7% | $118,148,324▼1.9% | $291,595,376▲9.3% | $326,653,053▲6.8% | 990 |
| 2022 | $113,226,481▼5.6% | $120,386,714▲0.7% | $266,829,497▼3.5% | $305,906,835▼3.6% | 990 |
| 2021 | $119,959,066▼4.8% | $119,535,194▲2.3% | $276,406,601▼3.2% | $317,463,557▼3.8% | 990 |
| 2020 | $125,968,312▲2.0% | $116,831,135▼6.4% | $285,416,494▲17.1% | $330,055,480▲13.1% | 990 |
| 2019 | $123,520,374▼3.1% | $124,786,418▼0.4% | $243,783,393▼0.7% | $291,863,327▼1.1% | 990 |
| 2018 | $127,515,668▲6.1% | $125,283,351▲1.7% | $245,416,247▼0.9% | $295,130,912▼1.4% | 990 |
| 2017 | $120,137,738▼12.7% | $123,149,226▼2.6% | $247,592,551▲2.4% | $299,231,197▲0.5% | 990 |
| 2016 | $137,664,861▲6.5% | $126,443,976▼0.1% | $241,859,323▲4.2% | $297,663,231▲2.3% | 990 |
| 2015 | $129,307,876▼0.7% | $126,589,167▼0.7% | $232,220,646▼1.1% | $291,039,217▼2.2% | 990 |
| 2014 | $130,224,659▲0.1% | $127,429,138▲3.0% | $234,889,284▲1.1% | $297,568,928▲0.8% | 990 |
| 2013 | $130,058,221 | $123,720,950▲4.3% | $232,304,364▲7.6% | $295,326,046▲4.7% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $118,590,200▲3.7% | $215,990,065▲9.6% | $282,097,981▲7.9% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $114,411,576▲2.4% | $197,039,540▼0.9% | $261,559,481▲0.9% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $111,765,684▲1.3% | $198,860,745▲10.7% | $259,231,105▲8.1% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $110,278,712 | $179,582,620 | $239,893,130 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Highest-paid: Jenifer K Ward — $413,659 (0.35% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jenifer K Ward | President - Outgoing | 45 | $413,659 |
| Bradley Chamberlain | President | 45 | $201,209 |
| Mary Duvall | Vp For Development | 45 | $160,673 |
| William Smith | Vp For Communication | 45 | $155,061 |
| David Mitchell Assistant Prof | Of Mathmatics & Head Wrestling Coach | 45 | $153,084 |
| Karen Hunt Vp For | Enrollment Mgt - Outgoing | 45 | $152,407 |
| Robert Clay Chief Equity | Inclusion Ofc. and Asst. | 45 | $137,730 |
| Richard Bernatz | Registrar | 45 | $119,936 |
| Robin Currey Assoc Provost | & Dean of Academic Affairs | 45 | $115,173 |
| Patti Hetrick | Vp For Finance & Administration | 45 | $114,129 |
| Andrew Bailey Vp For | Finance and Admin. | 45 | $111,703 |
| Laura Barlament Exec Direct | Of Strategic Marketing | 45 | $107,617 |
| Matt Beaty Vp For | Enrollment Management | 45 | $102,055 |
| Jeff Wilkerson | Interim Provost | 45 | $83,631 |
| Alessandro Raniolo | Regent | 5 | — |
| Anjela Shutts | Regent | 5 | — |
| Ann Leon | Secretary | 5 | — |
| Bradley Miller | Regent | 5 | — |
| Brent Asplin | Regent | 5 | — |
| Chris Gade | Regent | 5 | — |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| The Opus Group | Construction | $9,898,510 |
| Sodexo Inc | Dining Services | $5,720,399 |
| Merit Contracting Inc | Construction | $2,196,057 |
| Wittkieffer | Executive Search & Advisory | $159,115 |
| Turner Construction | Construction | $101,885 |
157 grants to Luther College totaling $17.1M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Endowment Foundation | Educational | 2024 | $181,000 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Education | 2024 | $150,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $63,416 |
| Thrivent Financial For Lutherans | General support | 2024 | $48,139 |
| Thrivent Financial For Lutherans | General support | 2024 | $20,687 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $18,784 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $15,000 |
| American Gift Fund | Operations | 2024 | $7,500 |
| The Us Charitable Gift Trust | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2024 | $7,150 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Education | 2023 | $2,170,000 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Education | 2023 | $360,157 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2023 | $148,540 |
| Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing | General support | 2023 | $97,775 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Educational | 2023 | $78,500 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2023 | $68,209 |
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Data for Luther College (EIN 42-0680466) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.