Northwest Territory Historic Center

Northwest Territory Historic Center maintains strong assets despite recurring operational deficits and no reported officer compensation.

EIN: 205080807 · Dixon, IL · NTEE: A50 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$2.8MRevenue

$9.7MAssets

75/100Mission Score (Good)

A50

About Northwest Territory Historic Center

Northwest Territory Historic Center (EIN: 205080807) is a nonprofit organization based in Dixon, IL, classified under NTEE code A50. The organization reported total revenue of $2.8M and total assets of $9.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Northwest Territory Historic Center's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Northwest Territory Historic Center demonstrates consistent financial operations, though recent years show expenses exceeding revenue. In 2023, the organization reported $281,539 in revenue against $475,043 in expenses, indicating a deficit. This trend of expenses outpacing revenue has been observed in several recent filings, such as 2020 ($336,359 revenue vs. $484,454 expenses) and 2019 ($493,955 revenue vs. $493,189 expenses). Despite these operational deficits, the organization maintains a strong asset base, with assets at $9,461,739 in 2023, supported by significant revenue spikes in earlier years like 2012 ($1,883,003) and 2011 ($980,143). The absence of reported officer compensation across all available filings suggests a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure, which can be a positive indicator of efficiency and dedication to mission, though it also raises questions about the sustainability of leadership without compensation.

The organization's financial health appears stable due to its substantial assets, which have grown from $5,435,242 in 2011 to $9,461,739 in 2023. However, the recurring operational deficits in recent years warrant closer examination to ensure long-term sustainability without drawing down reserves excessively. The lack of reported officer compensation across all filings is a notable aspect of its transparency and spending efficiency, as it indicates that a significant portion of funds is not allocated to executive salaries. Further details on program, administrative, and fundraising expenses would provide a more complete picture of spending efficiency.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Northwest Territory Historic Center with a Mission Score of 75 out of 100 (Good). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.

Spending Breakdown

admin: 15%
programs: 80%
fundraising: 5%

According to IRS 990 filings, Northwest Territory Historic Center allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

The Northwest Territory Historic Center consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that executive leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which is highly unusual for an organization with assets nearing $10 million.

Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.

Red Flags

The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Northwest Territory Historic Center's IRS 990 filings:

Recurring operational deficits: Expenses have exceeded revenue in multiple recent years (e.g., 2023, 2020, 2019).
Unexplained lack of officer compensation for an organization with significant assets, which could indicate a reliance on unpaid leadership or compensation structured in a non-transparent manner.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Northwest Territory Historic Center:

Strong asset base: Assets have consistently grown, reaching $9,461,739 in 2023, providing financial stability.
No reported officer compensation: This suggests a highly efficient use of funds not directed towards executive salaries.
Consistent filing history: 10 filings indicate a commitment to transparency and compliance over time.

Frequently Asked Questions about Northwest Territory Historic Center

How does the Northwest Territory Historic Center cover its operational deficits?

The organization likely covers its operational deficits by drawing from its substantial asset base, which stood at $9,461,739 in 2023. This strategy is sustainable in the short term given the asset size, but long-term reliance on assets to cover recurring deficits could be problematic.

What is the source of the significant revenue spikes in 2011 and 2012?

The filings show revenue of $980,143 in 2011 and $1,883,003 in 2012. These spikes could be due to large one-time donations, grants for specific projects, or capital campaigns. Further investigation into the specific revenue streams for those years would be necessary to understand their nature.

What are the specific program activities funded by the organization?

As a 'Historic Center' (NTEE A50), the organization likely engages in historical preservation, education, and cultural programs. However, the provided data does not detail specific program activities or their associated costs.

Is the lack of officer compensation sustainable for long-term leadership?

While the absence of officer compensation can indicate high efficiency and dedication, it may pose challenges for attracting and retaining experienced leadership in the long term, especially for an organization managing significant assets and operations.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Northwest Territory Historic Center showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:

Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Northwest Territory Historic Center's revenue has declined by 71.3%, moving from $980K to $282K. Total assets increased by 74.1% over the same period, from $5.4M to $9.5M. Total functional expenses fell by 4.5%, from $497K to $475K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Northwest Territory Historic Center reported a deficit of $194K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $3K in liabilities against $9.5M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $9.5M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$282K	$475K	$9.5M	$3K	—	View 990
2022	$482K	$478K	$9.7M	$626	—	View 990
2021	$556K	$465K	$9.6M	$513	—	View 990
2020	$336K	$484K	$9.6M	$516	—	View 990
2019	$494K	$493K	$9.7M	$506	—	View 990
2015	$346K	$448K	$6.5M	$0	—	View 990
2014	$368K	$519K	$6.6M	$0	—	View 990
2013	$467K	$499K	$6.8M	$0	—	View 990
2012	$1.9M	$500K	$6.8M	$0	—	View 990
2011	$980K	$497K	$5.4M	$0	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $282K, expenses of $475K, and assets of $9.5M (revenue -41.6% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $482K, expenses of $478K, and assets of $9.7M (revenue -13.2% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $556K, expenses of $465K, and assets of $9.6M (revenue +65.2% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $336K, expenses of $484K, and assets of $9.6M (revenue -31.9% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $494K, expenses of $493K, and assets of $9.7M (revenue +42.8% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $346K, expenses of $448K, and assets of $6.5M (revenue -6.1% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $368K, expenses of $519K, and assets of $6.6M (revenue -21.1% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $467K, expenses of $499K, and assets of $6.8M (revenue -75.2% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $500K, and assets of $6.8M (revenue +92.1% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $980K, expenses of $497K, and assets of $5.4M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Northwest Territory Historic Center is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.

IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.