Northwood University is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Midland, Michigan, registered in 1961, with $83,349,419 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 78% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2023)
$83.3M
▼ 14.9% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2023)
$76.1M
Net assets
$258.4M
Employees
888
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 Northwood University: 78% to programs · $33 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 Northwood University: 41 mo reserves · +9% 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 Northwood University: 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 Northwood University: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Education-we develop free-enterprise leaders who drive global economic and social progress
Student services - athletics, placement, registrar, financial aid, security, business office, and other support to current and former students.
Auxiliary enterprises - provided housing, meals to students and bookstore services to current and former students. library services to students and the public.
Revenue declined from $96.1M (FY2013) to $83.3M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
8.7%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$267.6M
Total liabilities
$9.2M
Net assets
$258.4M
Salaries & benefits
$29.2M
38% of expenses
Board members
16
16 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $83,349,419▼14.9% | $76,125,930▲8.7% | $258,449,473▲5.9% | $267,602,500▲5.0% | 990 |
| 2022 | $97,968,956▲17.1% | $70,039,784 | $244,001,806▲14.8% | $254,966,317▲14.0% | 990 |
| 2021 | $83,695,631▲11.4% | $70,059,317▲9.1% | $212,605,556▼2.9% | $223,672,132▼4.8% | 990 |
| 2020 | $75,137,729▲11.0% | $64,200,955▼17.2% | $218,908,832▲18.3% | $235,004,653▲13.7% | 990 |
| 2019 | $67,719,695▼21.4% | $77,545,609▲2.8% | $185,025,562▼8.2% | $206,640,197▼6.4% | 990 |
| 2018 | $86,181,812▲22.4% | $75,465,833▲4.9% | $201,456,172▲5.2% | $220,726,404▲8.6% | 990 |
| 2017 | $70,430,025▼14.7% | $71,934,166▲0.9% | $191,483,975▲1.3% | $203,257,987▼0.4% | 990 |
| 2016 | $82,525,909▼4.5% | $71,271,447▼1.1% | $189,097,206▲10.2% | $204,059,905▲9.5% | 990 |
| 2015 | $86,439,944▼16.5% | $72,043,631▼20.7% | $171,655,841▲6.1% | $186,346,504▲3.5% | 990 |
| 2014 | $103,486,397▲7.7% | $90,825,048▼10.7% | $161,781,019▲7.4% | $180,123,479▲7.6% | 990 |
| 2013 | $96,056,801 | $101,667,191▲1.9% | $150,596,133▲3.0% | $167,451,505▲2.5% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $99,812,875▲4.8% | $146,217,306▲0.6% | $163,338,621▲1.0% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $95,230,089▲1.0% | $145,392,054▼4.4% | $161,735,348▼4.0% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $94,303,558▲1.1% | $152,018,655▲9.8% | $168,545,075▲10.5% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $93,310,597 | $138,495,365 | $152,564,908 | 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: Kent Macdonald — $775,325 (1.02% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent Macdonald | President & Ceo | 60 | $775,325 |
| Kristin Stehouwer Phd | Vice President | 60 | $298,655 |
| Lisa Fairbairn | Dean of Rdgsm | 60 | $200,751 |
| Brian S Mcleod | Vice President | 60 | $191,138 |
| Muray Kyte | Vice President | 60 | $190,709 |
| Susan Poli-smith | Administration | 60 | $188,610 |
| Justin Marshall | Chief Development & Engagement | 60 | $187,270 |
| Matthew Bennett | Administration | 60 | $182,741 |
| Thomas Litzinger | Executive Director | 60 | $180,445 |
| Lorne Thomas | Administration | 60 | $143,579 |
| Rachel Valdiserri | Senior Communications Officer, | 60 | $139,088 |
| Timothy G Nash | Di., Mcnair Ctr, Strategic Alliance | 30 | $113,187 |
| Daniel G Devos | Trustee | 0 | — |
| Edward J Mcbrien | Trustee | 0 | — |
| Gary Short | Trustee | 0 | — |
| Graham Williams | Trustee | 0 | — |
| James Mestdagh | Trustee | 0 | — |
| Jason R Brickl | Trustee | 0 | — |
| Jennifer T Panning | Trustee | 0 | — |
| Ken Lingenfelter | Trustee | 0 | — |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Creative Dining Services | Food Service | $4,054,204 |
| Three Rivers Construction | Construction Services | $2,220,226 |
| Stt Inc | Security | $890,714 |
| Ellucian | Software Services | $807,279 |
| Sugar Construction | Construction Services | $565,781 |
68 grants to Northwood University totaling $2.3M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communities Foundation of Texas | This grant is designated for general support. | 2024 | $80,229 |
| The Community Foundation For Greater Atlanta Inc | Education | 2024 | $50,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $20,123 |
| Kalamazoo Community Foundation | Education/instruction | 2024 | $10,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2023 | $206,950 |
| National Philanthropic Tr | Religion | 2023 | $100,000 |
| Communities Foundation of Texas | This grant is designated for general support. | 2023 | $75,504 |
| National Collegiate Athletic Association | Grants | 2023 | $21,728 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2023 | $18,375 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Education | 2023 | $11,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2023 | $5,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2022 | $131,820 |
| Communities Foundation of Texas | This grant is designated for general support. | 2022 | $73,590 |
| National Collegiate Athletic Association | Grants | 2022 | $14,660 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2021 | $79,250 |
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Data for Northwood University (EIN 38-1624684) 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.