Naropa University
Naropa University reported $38.8 million in revenue and $38.1 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $76.21 went to program services, $22.14 to management and general costs and $1.65 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was program service revenue such as fees, sales and contracts: 81.3% of the total. Government grants made up 6.0%. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $443,687 (President). 10 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 27% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $38MFor context, the median across 5,499 covered education charities: $85.56 programs, $13.59 management, $0.85 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $39M- Contributions & grants (non-government)$5.27 $2.0M
- Government grants$6.03 $2.3M
- Program service revenue$81.22 $32M
- Investment income$7.48 $2.9M
Other revenue was negative: −$55,493. The bar shows the positive sources only.
The 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 76.2% | 84.4% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 22.1% | 13.4% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 1.6% | 0.8% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.14 | $0.04 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 11.3% | 19.1% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 6.0% | 1.1% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 81.3% | 69.9% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $443,687 | $331,578 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.16% | 1.28% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 10 | 8 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 4.7 | 13.3 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 18 of 19 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseThe University offers undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs in arts, social sciences, and the humanities. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. There are approximately 1,000 graduate and undergraduate students. Instruction, student services, and academic support program services all support the University's purpose and mission to educate the whole person
Alaya Preschool operates as a preschool and childcare facility service children and their families in the greater Boulder area. As part of Naropa University, Alaya Preschool operates as a lab school serving students in Naropa's early childhood and contemplative education programs. Alaya is licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and serves approximately 60 families. Financial support is provided for some families through scholarships for tuition assistance
Student Housing for those undergraduates that are required to live in student housing or those students that elect to live in student housing. Served approximately 75 students
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| President Director/trustee, officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $388,915 | $0 | $54,772 | $443,687 |
| VP of DESS Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $190,254 | $0 | $26,991 | $217,245 |
| VP of Academics Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $155,042 | $0 | $12,284 | $167,326 |
| AVP Information Tech. Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $100,439 | $0 | $49,843 | $150,282 |
| Naropa Comm. Counseling Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $109,548 | $0 | $40,184 | $149,732 |
| Chief Academics Officer Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $123,316 | $0 | $14,863 | $138,179 |
| Controller Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $109,062 | $0 | $18,957 | $128,019 |
| AVP Development Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $108,196 | $0 | $12,283 | $120,479 |
10 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Naropa University (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $909K (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b19 · 18 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14No
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4No
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bNo
- Employees Part I, line 5593
- Volunteers Part I, line 617
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| Ellucian Company LP ERP, IT management & consulting | $629,827 |
| Heightened Education Consulting LLC Higher education & finance consulting | $449,373 |
| M&H Commerical Cleaning Services Cleaning Services | $279,399 |
| Doctums Global Llc IT management | $236,610 |
| Networks That Matter Inc Marketing and Public Relations | $234,000 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 14 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
15 private foundations reported grants to Naropa University totaling $382K on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Naropa University's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Naropa University, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Naropa University spent in FY2025, $76.21 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- American Dental Education AssociationWashington, DC · revenue $39M · programs 73.9% · FY2025
- The Fay SchoolSouthborough, MA · revenue $39M · programs 81.4% · FY2025
- Youngstown State University FoundationYoungstown, OH · revenue $39M · programs 89.8% · FY2025
- Shorecrest Preparatory SchoolSt Petersburg, FL · revenue $39M · programs 85.4% · FY2025
- Kentucky Wesleyan CollegeOwensboro, KY · revenue $39M · programs 85.8% · FY2025
Questions people ask
How much of Naropa University's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Naropa University reported that 76.2% of its $38.1 million in expenses went to program services, 22.1% to management and general and 1.6% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Naropa University pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Naropa University reported for one person in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 was $443,687, for the role of President (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Naropa University get its money?
Of $38.8 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, 11.3% came from contributions and grants (including 6.0% from government grants) and 81.3% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Naropa University a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 84-1029228 as a 501(c)(3) organization (school), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, object 202631329349306903 · read the filing
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, object 202531219349301233 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, object 202421239349300432 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, object 202301289349302620 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021 (amended), object 202320529349300332 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, object 202131339349305378 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 84-1029228: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.