# Northwestern University

Recreational clubs nonprofit in Evanston, Illinois 60208. EIN 36-2167817. Data as of November 8, 2026.

Page: https://backpr.com/find/nonprofit/362167817-northwestern-university

## Mission (the organization's own words)

> Education and research

Source: Form 990, year ending Aug 2025: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/362167817/202611959349301976/full

## IRS facts

- Type: Recreational clubs (IRS activity code N500)
- Tax status: 501(c)(3), contributions deductible, recognized 1945
- Source: IRS Business Master File, posted October 13, 2026: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organizations-business-master-file-extract-eo-bmf

## Finances (IRS Form 990 e-file data)

| Year ending | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Net assets | Employees | Volunteers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | $4,056,663,344 | $4,288,569,939 | $20,789,227,097 | $16,243,009,581 | 28,548 | 143 | [Form 990](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/362167817/202611959349301976/full) |
| Aug 2024 | $4,177,750,770 | $3,933,998,499 | $19,217,819,256 | $15,628,275,538 | 27,279 | 145 | [Form 990](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/362167817/202531959349301243/full) |
| Aug 2023 | $3,319,115,351 | $3,655,717,485 | $18,481,250,303 | $14,946,140,034 | 26,167 | 154 | [Form 990](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/362167817/202421949349301317/full) |
| Aug 2022 | $4,010,424,246 | $3,344,228,756 | $18,624,987,614 | $15,356,591,565 | 24,446 | 155 | [Form 990](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/362167817/202301989349301715/full) |
| Aug 2021 | $3,678,521,388 | $3,030,857,470 | $19,369,511,926 | $16,065,801,094 | 23,103 | 155 | [Form 990](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/362167817/202221959349300517/full) |

Expense split, year ending Aug 2025: programs $3,930,134,148 (92%), management $290,704,949 (7%), fundraising $67,730,842 (2%).

Revenue sources, year ending Aug 2025: gifts and grants $497,344,598, program fees $2,892,201,748, investment income $594,248,436.

Growth label: **Steady** (about +2% a year, Aug 2021 to Aug 2025). Growth label: we compare total revenue on the oldest and the newest return shown above. Growing means revenue rose by more than 10% a year on average, Shrinking means it fell by more than 10% a year, and Steady means a change between -10% and +10% a year. The rate is the compounded yearly average between the two returns, so it hides ups and downs in between (see the table). We only label groups with returns at least a year apart and at least $5,000 of revenue on the oldest one. This is our own calculation, not an IRS rating or a judgment of quality.

## How it compares

- Revenue $4,056,663,344 is in the top 10% of 62 recreation and club nonprofits in Illinois; median $151,367.
- Source: IRS Business Master File, posted October 13, 2026; BackPR analysis.

## Local context

- Cook County, Illinois: about 1,053,196 children under 18 (U.S. Census Bureau, July 1, 2024): https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2020-2024/counties/asrh/cc-est2024-agesex-all.csv
- 2,288 youth and community nonprofits in this directory in the county: 2.2 per 1,000 children.
- Licensed programs in Evanston: 35 licensed child care centers: https://backpr.com/find/illinois/evanston
- Illinois rules: https://backpr.com/resources/states/illinois

## Questions

**What is Northwestern University's EIN?**

Northwestern University's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-2167817. It is the nine-digit number the IRS uses to identify the organization. Source: IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File posted October 13, 2026.

**Is Northwestern University a nonprofit?**

Yes. The IRS lists Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3), recognized since 1945. This is from the IRS Business Master File posted October 13, 2026. Status can change, so check its current status on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search before you donate.

**Are donations to Northwestern University tax-deductible?**

Yes, the IRS lists gifts to Northwestern University as tax-deductible (IRS Business Master File posted October 13, 2026). How much you can deduct depends on your own taxes, and this is not tax advice. Check its current status on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search before you donate.

**What does Northwestern University do?**

In its own words on its Form 990 for the year ending Aug 2025: "Education and research" The IRS classifies it as: Recreational clubs.

**How much money does Northwestern University take in?**

For the year ending Aug 2025, Northwestern University reported total revenue of $4,056,663,344 and total expenses of $4,288,569,939 on its Form 990 (IRS Form 990 e-file data).

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Data as of November 8, 2026. Sources: IRS Business Master File, IRS Form 990 series e-file data, U.S. Census Bureau. No officer or staff names are published.