Pacific Lutheran University Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Tacoma, Washington, registered in 2010, with $157,869,351 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 92% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2024)
$157.9M
▼ 4.6% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2024)
$163.7M
Net assets
$204.2M
Employees
2,009
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 Pacific Lutheran University Inc: 92% to programs · $15 to raise $100 earns a A 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 Pacific Lutheran University Inc: 15 mo reserves · -4% margin earns a B+ 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 Pacific Lutheran University Inc: 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 Pacific Lutheran University Inc: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Plu purposefully integrates the liberal arts, professional studies & civic engagement through distinctive international programs & faculty mentored research opportunities.
1) operations and maintenance of plant including depreciation, interest expense and amortization. 2) public service.
Auxiliary enterprises: plu offers nine residence halls; eight traditional style residence halls and one apartment-style complex. during the 2024-25 academic year, on-campus residential students served 1,067 students in fall and spring semesters. pludelivered dining services to students, faculty, staff and the neighboring community. we are dedicated to providing nutritionally sound and sustainably sourced meals at our modern dining hall, at a noted restaurant open to the public and campus community, and through several convenient quick serve options located across campus. dining services is a campus leader in sustainable initiatives, offers nutrition education and culinary adventure classes, available to everyone. plu hosted over 27,000 guests attending approximately 60 non-plu conferences, camps and events during 2022-2023. conferences range in size from one-day trainings to overnight retreats; education conferences; music concerts; sports camps and clinics. plus, hospitality services and campus restaurants, including the catering department, provides meals for most events as well as plu functions. plu rented residence hall rooms and campus meeting spaces to nearly 3,000 guests over the span of 2 months during the summer conference season.
Revenue grew from $150.2M (FY2013) to $157.9M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
-3.7%
Spent more than it raised in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$284.3M
Total liabilities
$80.1M
Net assets
$204.2M
Salaries & benefits
$58.2M
36% of expenses
Board members
28
27 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $157,869,351▼4.6% | $163,733,122▼2.9% | $204,196,855▲0.4% | $284,256,855▼3.1% | 990 |
| 2023 | $165,514,048▲4.3% | $168,552,957▲4.1% | $203,407,913▲10.5% | $293,352,083▲7.3% | 990 |
| 2022 | $158,643,365▲1.6% | $161,925,234▲6.3% | $184,101,332▼4.0% | $273,406,035▼3.2% | 990 |
| 2021 | $156,152,250▼2.1% | $152,290,640▲4.1% | $191,711,552▼3.0% | $282,361,466▼3.0% | 990 |
| 2020 | $159,559,804▲1.1% | $146,270,209▼6.8% | $197,656,055▲23.0% | $290,983,706▲16.3% | 990 |
| 2019 | $157,900,838▲2.0% | $157,020,697▼0.9% | $160,651,681▲0.6% | $250,118,186▲3.7% | 990 |
| 2018 | $154,876,063▲2.9% | $158,525,364▲4.9% | $159,765,383▼4.0% | $241,099,264▼3.7% | 990 |
| 2017 | $150,502,152▼1.8% | $151,171,501▲0.4% | $166,388,934▲1.3% | $250,294,715▲0.1% | 990 |
| 2016 | $153,293,974▲3.0% | $150,636,392▼2.4% | $164,232,550▲6.1% | $250,076,705▲2.3% | 990 |
| 2015 | $148,796,163▼2.4% | $154,418,670▲3.1% | $154,844,612▼3.1% | $244,372,314▼3.5% | 990 |
| 2014 | $152,446,050▲1.5% | $149,769,327▼1.1% | $159,721,730▼0.5% | $253,195,273▲3.4% | 990 |
| 2013 | $150,151,716 | $151,396,079▲3.5% | $160,475,062▲1.3% | $244,874,091▲0.2% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $146,326,818▲3.2% | $158,371,429▲2.7% | $244,376,714▲2.1% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $141,729,864▲4.4% | $154,234,254▼4.6% | $239,467,143▼3.6% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $135,754,291▲2.9% | $161,744,697▲15.1% | $248,452,936▲9.5% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $131,937,623 | $140,473,693 | $226,980,177 | 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: L Allan Belton — $411,963 (0.25% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| L Allan Belton | President | 40 | $411,963 |
| Joanna Gregson | Provost | 40 | $222,272 |
| David Ward | Dean, College of Health Prof | 40 | $202,602 |
| Joanna Royce-davis | Vp, Student Life | 40 | $193,018 |
| Daniel Lee | Vp of University Relations | 40 | $187,145 |
| Ann Auman | Dean, College of Natural Science | 40 | $175,007 |
| Cameron Bennett | Dean, College of Professional Studies | 40 | $171,791 |
| Patrick Gehring | Treasurer (left 12/6/2024) | 40 | $140,464 |
| Shalita Myrick | Coo Vp, Admin Services | 40 | $118,358 |
| Erika Borell | Treasurer (start 05/2025) | 40 | $82,454 |
| Arne Ness | Regent | 1 | — |
| Ben Warwick | Regent | 1 | — |
| Bruce Deal | Regent/vice Chair | 1 | — |
| David Coy | Regent | 1 | — |
| Jaynee Groseth | Regent | 1 | — |
| Jonette Blakney | Regent | 1 | — |
| Joseph Mayer | Regent | 1 | — |
| Joyce Barr | Regent | 1 | — |
| Kathi Littmann | Regent | 1 | — |
| Laurie Larson-caesar | Regent | 1 | — |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Sysco Food Services of Seattle | Food Service | $544,302 |
| Us Foods | Food Service | $528,372 |
| Technolutions Inc | System Integration | $335,000 |
| Ruffalo Noel Levitz LLC | Mgmt. Consulting | $332,657 |
| Ricoh USA Inc | System Integration | $301,594 |
153 grants to Pacific Lutheran University Inc totaling $4.6M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Horizons | Education | 2024 | $100,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $70,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $51,191 |
| The Seattle Foundation | To provide general support | 2024 | $50,000 |
| Ayco Charitable Foundation | Education | 2024 | $50,000 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Arts and culture | 2024 | $50,000 |
| Credit Unions In the State of Washington | Community involvement. | 2024 | $30,000 |
| The Bessemer Giving Fund | General support | 2024 | $25,000 |
| Thrivent Financial For Lutherans | General support | 2024 | $24,177 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Educational | 2024 | $23,500 |
| Thrivent Financial For Lutherans | General support | 2024 | $13,174 |
| Impactassets Inc | General support | 2024 | $10,000 |
| Mightycause Charitable Foundation | Unrestricted | 2024 | $8,977 |
| Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation Inc | Scholarship funding | 2024 | $6,928 |
| The Us Charitable Gift Trust | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2024 | $6,000 |
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Data for Pacific Lutheran University Inc (EIN 91-0565571) 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.