Washington State University Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Pullman, Washington, registered in 1979, with $111,558,149 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it B+, and it directs about 72% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2023)
$111.6M
▲ 5.2% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2023)
$107.4M
Net assets
$761.3M
Employees
142
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 Washington State University Foundation: 72% to programs · $12 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 Washington State University Foundation: 85 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 Washington State University Foundation: 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 Washington State University Foundation: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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The mission of the foundation is to promote, accept, and maximize private support for programs, initiatives, and properties of washington state university and its regional campuses. the foundation also prudently manages, invests, and stewards assets entrusted to it.
Scholarships & fellowships: the foundation does not directly award scholarships and fellowships. however, contributions for these purposes were distributed to the university for use in accordance with donor agreements. student financial aid was received for loans, graduate fellowships, general scholarships and scholarships with specific criteria, such as merit, need, and multiculturalism.
Facilities operation and maintenance: the foundation does not directly provide facility and maintenance program services. however, contributions received for this purpose are distributed to the university for use in accordance with the donor agreements. contributions were received for the purchase and maintenance of buildings and equipment.
Professorships, chairs and instructions: the foundation does not directly provide this program service. however, contributions received for this purpose were distributed to the university for disbursement in accordance with donor agreements. contributions were largely used for faculty research projects, salary support and instructions outside the normal classroom.
Revenue grew from $88.3M (FY2019) to $111.6M (FY2023) across 5 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
3.7%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$777.2M
Total liabilities
$16.0M
Net assets
$761.3M
Salaries & benefits
$12.8M
12% of expenses
Board members
23
23 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $111,558,149▲5.2% | $107,425,945▼0.4% | $761,253,546▲7.6% | $777,233,513▲7.6% | 990 |
| 2022 | $106,044,352▼32.7% | $107,829,775▲6.2% | $707,335,407▲3.6% | $722,665,894▲3.3% | 990 |
| 2021 | $157,487,648▲49.5% | $101,555,684▲20.7% | $683,079,690▼2.3% | $699,641,456▼2.2% | 990 |
| 2020 | $105,370,989▲19.3% | $84,144,117▲3.9% | $699,208,210▲29.1% | $715,596,678▲28.5% | 990 |
| 2019 | $88,334,826 | $81,001,219▲43.0% | $541,406,271▲43.9% | $556,928,680▲36.1% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $56,631,901 | $376,118,482 | $409,129,712 | 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: Michael C Connell — $421,493 (0.39% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael C Connell | Vice President, Chief Executive Officer | 39.8 | $421,493 |
| Harold Don Shearer | Senior Associate Vice President | 40 | $321,621 |
| Dawn M Barnard - Thru June 24 | Chief Financial Officer | 40 | $273,488 |
| Julie Benson | Associate Vice President | 40 | $229,501 |
| Victoria Miles | Associate Vice President | 40 | $228,510 |
| Terry Kelly | General Counsel | 40 | $227,191 |
| Juan Zavala | Associate Vice President | 40 | $189,160 |
| Brooke E Ledeboer | Senior Director | 40 | $180,382 |
| Theresa Boyer | Director | 40 | $162,650 |
| Elizabeth Ryan | Director | 40 | $158,624 |
| Brent J Waugh - Thru May 24 | Assistant Vice President | 40 | $155,525 |
| Anamarie Burton | Associate Vice President | 40 | $123,876 |
| Amy Tull | Board Director | 0.32 | — |
| Bill Ward | Board Director | 0.32 | — |
| Bob Crist - Thru Dec 23 | Board Director | 0.16 | — |
| Bob Wolfe | Board Director | 0.32 | — |
| Bruce Amundson | Board Director & Secretary | 0.32 | — |
| Caron Ogg | Board Director | 0.32 | — |
| Elizabeth Schneider | Board Director | 0.32 | — |
| Eugene J Voiland - Thru Dec 23 | Board Director | 0.16 | — |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Ellucian | Consulting | $499,373 |
| Ruffalo Noel Levitz | Fundraising | $389,899 |
| Mercer | Investment Management | $327,278 |
| Kpmg | Audit and Tax Services | $185,295 |
| State Street | Custodian Fees | $149,184 |
365 grants to Washington State University Foundation totaling $39.0M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Endowment Foundation | Educational | 2024 | $843,950 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $423,481 |
| Ayco Charitable Foundation | Education | 2024 | $392,000 |
| T Rowe Price Program For Charitable Giving Inc | Multiple | 2024 | $220,200 |
| Credit Unions In the State of Washington | Donation | 2024 | $200,000 |
| The Bessemer Giving Fund | General support | 2024 | $155,000 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $92,781 |
| The Us Charitable Gift Trust | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2024 | $81,700 |
| The Seattle Foundation | To provide general support | 2024 | $52,000 |
| The Seattle Foundation | To support guatemalan students | 2024 | $50,000 |
| Columbus Foundation | Education | 2024 | $45,000 |
| National Christian Charitable Foundation | Colleges and universities | 2024 | $25,500 |
| The Seattle Foundation | In support of holland orton fund. | 2024 | $25,000 |
| National Investment Center For Seniors Housing & Care Inc | Senior living fund | 2024 | $20,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $20,000 |
1 grant totaling $77.3M in FY2023. All grants made by Washington State University Foundation →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Washington State University | Support university activities. | $77,306,212 |
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Data for Washington State University Foundation (EIN 91-1075542) 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.