Quick charity verification for Northern Credit Union (EIN: 150580359)
Verdict: Northern Credit Union appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$43.8MRevenue
$634.8MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed executive compensation reporting on 990s (0% reported)
Strengths
Consistent and significant revenue growth (from $4.8M in 2019 to $41M in 2023)
Strong asset growth and financial stability (assets grew from $253M to $602M)
Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating good financial management
Consistent positive net income (revenue consistently exceeds expenses)
Spending Breakdown
How Northern Credit Union allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
95%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Northern Credit Union
Is Northern Credit Union a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Northern Credit Union (EIN: 150580359) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Northern Credit Union a good charity to donate to?
Northern Credit Union has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $43.8M. Assets: $634.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Northern Credit Union?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Northern Credit Union is 150580359. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does Northern Credit Union spend its money?
Northern Credit Union allocates 95% to programs, 5% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Northern Credit Union's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Northern Credit Union's tax-exempt status using EIN 150580359 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
Northern Credit Union demonstrates consistent growth in revenue and assets over the past five years, indicating a strong financial trajectory. For instance, revenue surged from $4,846,311 in 2019 to $41,068,256 in 2023, and assets grew from $253,329,740 to $602,800,529 in the same period. As a credit union, its primary 'program' spending is inherently tied to its operational expenses in serving members, which appears to be efficiently managed given the consistent positive net income (revenue minus expenses). The organization's liabilities have remained a relatively small portion of its total assets, suggesting good financial stability. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation on its 990 filings is a notable aspect of its transparency, indicating that executive compensation is not reported in the same manner as traditional charities, likely due to its structure as a member-owned financial cooperative.