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Nonprofiteer
← LUTHER COLLEGE

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by LUTHER COLLEGE.

Totals

Total revenue
$132,162,013
Total expenses
$118,148,324
Contributions and grants received
$23,411,995
Grants paid
$49,711,492
Program service revenue
$90,582,740
Investment income
$16,207,964
Other revenue
$1,959,314
Total assets, end of year
$326,653,053
Total liabilities, end of year
$35,057,677
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$291,595,376
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$106,382,797
Management and general expenses
$7,986,480
Fundraising expenses
$3,779,047
Program service expenses (Part III)
$106,382,797

Program services were 90.0% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $52,450

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $1,224,756

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $22,134,789

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $1,138,042

  • 2a · Program service revenue: TUITION & FEES

    total $72,324,838 · related or exempt $72,324,838

  • 2b · Program service revenue: SALES & SERVICE AUXILL

    total $16,431,672 · related or exempt $16,431,672

  • 2c · Program service revenue: SALES & SERVICE EDUCAT

    total $1,826,230 · related or exempt $1,826,230

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $4,636,485 · unrelated business $15,017 · excluded $4,621,468

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $174,075

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $207,274

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property -$33,199

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total -$33,199 · excluded -$33,199

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $17,255,867 · other assets $440

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $5,684,828 · other assets $0

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $11,571,039 · other assets $440

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $11,571,479 · excluded $11,571,479

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $42,650

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $52,450

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $28,489

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $14,161 · excluded $14,161

  • 11a · Other revenue: FACILITY USAGE FEES

    total $846,745 · excluded $846,745

  • 11b · Other revenue: SUMMER PROGRAMS

    total $551,704 · excluded $551,704

  • 11c · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE

    total $300,424 · excluded $300,424

  • 11d · All other revenue

    total $279,479 · excluded $279,479

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $1,978,352

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $49,711,492 · program services $49,711,492

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,638,625 · program services $704,420 · management and general $737,668 · fundraising $196,537

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $26,917,858 · program services $22,130,180 · management and general $3,095,235 · fundraising $1,692,443

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $1,169,484 · program services $942,537 · management and general $145,507 · fundraising $81,440

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $5,379,383 · program services $4,063,105 · management and general $952,862 · fundraising $363,416

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $1,873,810 · program services $1,504,422 · management and general $244,077 · fundraising $125,311

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $64,661 · program services $19,144 · management and general $45,517

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $78,135 · management and general $78,135

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $128,716 · management and general $128,716

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $2,237,033 · program services $1,494,986 · management and general $581,912 · fundraising $160,135

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $118,501 · program services $7,452 · management and general $110,851 · fundraising $198

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $1,860,046 · program services $1,614,285 · management and general $150,392 · fundraising $95,369

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $66,888 · program services $15,212 · management and general $28,082 · fundraising $23,594

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $3,383,459 · program services $3,276,143 · management and general $53,658 · fundraising $53,658

  • 17 · Travel

    total $3,596,653 · program services $3,415,081 · management and general $78,524 · fundraising $103,048

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $1,427,407 · program services $1,170,480 · management and general $103,777 · fundraising $153,150

  • 20 · Interest

    total $514,332 · program services $509,658 · management and general $2,337 · fundraising $2,337

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $5,269,933 · program services $5,013,987 · management and general $63,986 · fundraising $191,960

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $838,037 · program services $379,299 · management and general $452,655 · fundraising $6,083

  • 24a · Other expenses: DINING SERVICES

    total $5,822,019 · program services $5,822,019

  • 24b · Other expenses: EQUIP RENTAL/MAINTENANC

    total $4,150,757 · program services $2,824,899 · management and general $853,772 · fundraising $472,086

  • 24c · Other expenses: RESALEABLE MERCHANDISE

    total $1,086,036 · program services $1,046,323 · management and general $19,856 · fundraising $19,857

  • 24d · Other expenses: PROCESSING FEES

    total $275,814 · program services $198,254 · management and general $41,874 · fundraising $35,686

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $539,245 · program services $519,419 · management and general $17,087 · fundraising $2,739

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $39,922,766 · end of year $36,149,185

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $2,496,654 · end of year $11,724,560

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $502,858 · end of year $666,341

  • 7 · Other notes and loans receivable

    beginning of year $1,545,874 · end of year $1,596,308

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $571,501 · end of year $479,084

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $163,445 · end of year $349,991

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $199,747,368

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $146,937,506

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $56,673,012 · end of year $52,809,862

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $129,084,012 · end of year $143,148,666

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $61,301,597 · end of year $65,369,996

  • 13 · Investments: program-related

    beginning of year $2,157,220 · end of year $1,478,641

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $11,487,896 · end of year $12,880,419

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $7,471,514 · end of year $7,059,342

  • 18 · Grants payable

    beginning of year $889,151 · end of year $193,301

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $1,017,637 · end of year $371,873

  • 20 · Tax-exempt bond liabilities

    beginning of year $19,208,303 · end of year $17,846,438

  • 21 · Escrow or custodial account liability

    beginning of year $248,489 · end of year $263,416

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $10,242,244 · end of year $9,323,307

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $84,560,912 · end of year $82,741,767

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $182,268,585 · end of year $208,853,609

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

FOUNDED BY THE NORWEGIAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN 1861, LUTHER COLLEGE IS A FOUR-YEAR, RESIDENTIAL LIBERAL ARTS INSTITUTION. LUTHER WELCOMES STUDENTS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS TO ENGAGE IN A WAY OF LEARNING THAT MOVES BEYOND IMMEDIATE INTERESTS AND ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO BUILD A LIFE OF CONSEQUENCE. AT THE HEART OF A LUTHER EDUCATION IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE WAY FAITH AND LEARNING INTERSECT AND IN TURN CONNECT STUDENTS TO THE LARGER WORLD. LUTHER OFFERS MORE THAN 80 MAJORS, MINORS, AND PREPROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS.

Activities or mission (Part I)

ON A CAMPUS OF MORE THAN 800 ACRES ALONG THE BANKS OF THE UPPER IOWA RIVER IN DECORAH, IOWA, LUTHER IS A TRUE RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS, WITH 97 PERCENT OF STUDENTS LIVING ON CAMPUS AND NEARLY 95 PERCENT OF FACULTY CHOOSING TO LIVE WITHIN FIVE MILES OF IT. LUTHER'S STUDENT BODY INCLUDES 1,442 MEN AND WOMEN (46 PERCENT AND 54 PERCENT, RESPECTIVELY) FROM 40 STATES AND 61 FOREIGN COUNTRIES. U.S. STUDENTS OF COLOR CONSTITUTE 13.0 PERCENT OF THE STUDENT BODY. APPROXIMATELY 70 PERCENT OF LUTHER STUDENTS VOLUNTEER DURING THEIR TIME HERE, EXHIBITING THE HIGH SERVICE ETHIC INTRINSIC TO LUTHER CULTURE. THE COLLEGE STRIVES TO BE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE OF ALL CONVICTIONS CAN REALIZE PERSONAL, INTELLECTUAL, AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

  • INSTRUCTION: LUTHER OFFERS 39 MAJORS, 40 MINORS AND INTERDISCIPLINARY MINORS, AND 4 PREPROFESSIONAL AND SPECIFIC PROGRAMS. LUTHER'S SIGNATURE PAIDEIA PROGRAM, AN INTERDISCIPLINARY COURSE SERIES OFFERED FOR MORE THAN 45 YEARS, HELPS INTEGRATE LEARNING AND BUILDS COMMUNITY THROUGH SHARED ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE. THE COLLEGE'S MUSIC PROGRAM, IN WHICH STUDENTS TRAIN IN PERFORMANCE, CONDUCTING, COMPOSITION, AND EDUCATION, HAS FIVE CHOIRS, TWO BANDS, THREE ORCHESTRAS AND TWO JAZZ BANDS, MANY OF WHICH TOUR NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY. A VIBRANT OFF-CAMPUS STUDENT PROGRAM DRAWS APPROXIMATELY 66% OF STUDENTS TO STUDY ABROAD PRIOR TO GRADUATION. LUTHER HAS 137 FULL-TIME FACULTY (APPROXIMATLY 93 PERCENT WITH A TERMINAL DEGREE) AND A 10:1 STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO. TOTAL ENROLLMENT WAS 1,442 FTE STUDENTS IN THE FALL OF 2023. 345 STUDENTS GRADUATED IN THE 2023-24 ACADEMIC YEAR.

    Expenses $74,976,238 · Grants $49,711,492 · Revenue $72,324,838

  • ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND STUDENT SERVICES: THE CENTER FOR ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROVIDES SERVICES, BASED ON BEST PRACTICES IN LEARNING ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING NEEDS ASSESSMENT, STUDENT-TO-STUDENT TUTORING, AND ONE-ON-ONE INSTRUCTION WITH PROFESSIONAL STAFF. IN COLLABORATION WITH FACULTY AND OTHER STAFF, CAE COORDINATES SPECIALIZED SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, MANAGES THE ACADEMIC ALERT SYSTEM, AND SUPPORTS INITIATIVES OF THE ADVISING PROGRAM. ACADEMIC ADVISING IS DONE BY FACULTY. RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT ARE PROVIDED THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE LIBRARY PROGRAM. THE COLLEGE HAS MORE THAN 100 STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS ALONG WITH COLLEGE MINISTRIES, HEALTH SERVICES, AND RECREATION AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS. APPROXIMATELY 54% OF STUDENTS ARE ENGAGED IN WORK STUDY TO SERVE THE LUTHER COMMUNITY, GAIN IMPORTANT WORK EXPERIENCE, AND EARN MONEY TOWARD EXPENSES.

    Expenses $17,417,769 · Revenue $1,826,230

  • AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES: LUTHER COLLEGE MAINTAINS A RURAL RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS TO ENHANCE THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE OF THE STUDENT BODY WITH ROOM AND BOARD PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE A SPIRIT OF COLLEGIALITY AND CONVERSATION BEYOND THE CLASSROOM AND LABORATORY. IN FALL 2023, LUTHER'S RESIDENCE HALLS HOUSED 1,383 STUDENTS OR 96% OF TOTAL FALL ENROLLMENT. 1,133 STUDENTS USED THE COLLEGE'S DINING SERVICE.

    Expenses $13,248,414 · Revenue $16,431,672

  • PUBLIC SERVICE: OFFERINGS TO THE BROADER COMMUNITY INCLUDE A COLLEGE RADIO STATION, CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS, A PERFORMING ARTS SERIES AND A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS IN THE ARTS, ATHLETICS, SCIENCES, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.RESEARCH: THE COLLEGE RECEIVES GRANTS FOR FACULTY/STUDENT REASEARCH COLLABORATION, PARTICULARLY IN THE SCIENCES. THE COLLEGE DEDICATES SPACE, RESOURCES, AND FACULTY TIME FOR COLLABORATIVE INVESTIGATION WITH STUDENTS. RESEARCH PROJECTS ACROSS THE CURRICULUM OCCUR DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR AND IN THE SUMMER.

    Expenses $740,376

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • J Robert Paulson Jr

    CHAIRPERSON

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Shannon Duval

    VICE CHAIRPERSON

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Ann Leon

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Jeffery Anderson

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Brent Asplin

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Kelly Birkenholz

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Willie Davismckennie

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Peter Espinosa

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Chris Gade

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Allen Green

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Katherine Johnson-Becklin

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Sandee Joppa

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Dr Mark V Larson

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Felix Malpica

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Bradley Miller

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Michael Osterholm

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Connie Plaehn

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Alessandro Raniolo

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Corey Schmidt

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Anjela Shutts

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • James A Thomsen Jr

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Chinyere Ukabiala

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Lance Vander Linden

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Leah Vriesman

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • James Young

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Jenifer K Ward

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $416,350
    From this org
    $356,837
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $59,513
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $326,837
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $30,000
    Deferred
    $18,016
    Nontaxable benefits
    $41,497
    Filer's total
    $416,350
  • Bradley Chamberlain

    PRESIDENT ELECT, PROVOST

    Total calculated
    $275,571
    From this org
    $195,895
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $79,676
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $169,338
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $26,557
    Deferred
    $10,214
    Nontaxable benefits
    $69,462
    Filer's total
    $275,571
  • Andrew Bailey Vp For

    FINANCE AND ADMIN.

    Total calculated
    $190,300
    From this org
    $146,164
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $44,136
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $141,185
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $4,979
    Deferred
    $8,294
    Nontaxable benefits
    $35,842
    Filer's total
    $190,300
  • Mary Duvall

    VP FOR DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $188,389
    From this org
    $163,678
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,711
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $141,178
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $22,500
    Deferred
    $8,686
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,025
    Filer's total
    $188,389
  • Karen Hunt

    VP FOR ENROLLMENT MGT

    Total calculated
    $156,787
    From this org
    $148,884
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $7,903
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $144,452
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $4,432
    Deferred
    $7,386
    Nontaxable benefits
    $517
    Filer's total
    $156,787
  • Robert Clay Chief Equity

    INCLUSION OFC. AND ASST.

    Total calculated
    $151,196
    From this org
    $134,133
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,063
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $134,133
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $6,818
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,245
    Filer's total
    $151,196
  • Teri Blanchard Interim Vp

    FOR FINANCE & ADMN.

    Total calculated
    $49,244
    From this org
    $49,167
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $77
    Hours/week
    45
  • William Smith

    VP FOR COMMUNICATION

    Total calculated
    $41,126
    From this org
    $36,257
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $4,869
    Hours/week
    45
  • David Mitchell Assistant Prof

    OF MATHMATICS & HEAD WRESTLING COACH

    Total calculated
    $178,377
    From this org
    $105,289
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $73,088
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $99,511
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $5,778
    Deferred
    $3,378
    Nontaxable benefits
    $69,710
    Filer's total
    $178,377
  • Diane Gossman

    EXEC. DIRECTOR OF IT

    Total calculated
    $142,358
    From this org
    $104,567
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,791
    Hours/week
    45
  • Richard Bernatz

    REGISTRAR

    Total calculated
    $132,410
    From this org
    $116,765
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,645
    Hours/week
    45
  • Laura Barlament Exec Direct

    OF STRATEGIC MARKETING

    Total calculated
    $123,346
    From this org
    $104,720
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,626
    Hours/week
    45

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 1a · Housing allowance or residence for personal use
  • 1a · Personal services (maid, chauffeur, chef)
  • 1b · Written policy on the line-1a expenses
  • 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Written employment contract
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 1A
LUTHER COLLEGE PROVIDES A HOUSE, CLEANING SERVICE AND UTILITIES FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE. THESE BENEFITS ARE LISTED IN THE WRITTEN COMPENSATION POLICY FOR THE COLLEGE AND ARE ALSO IN THE WRITTEN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT OF THE PRESIDENT. THE HOUSING AND UTILITIES ARE NOT TREATED AS TAXABLE COMPENSATION BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT'S HOUSE IS USED FOR COLLEGE BUSINESS AND MEETINGS TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH PROSPECTIVE DONORS TO THE COLLEGE.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Disregarded entities

Part I: entities that legally are the filer and file no return of their own.

  • LUTHER COLLEGE WIND ENERGY PROJECT LLC

    PRODUCTION OF ELECTRICITY · IA · income $0 · assets $0

    Directly controlled by LUTHER COLLEGE VENTURES INC

Related corporations and trusts

Part IV: related organizations taxable as a corporation or trust.

  • LUTHER COLLEGE VENTURES INC

    C · HOLDING COMPANY · IA · 100% owned · share of income $184,604 · share of assets $1,067,714 · controlled entity

  • CHARITABLE REMAINDER UNITRUSTS (31)

    T · TRUST · IA

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
11 April 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202511049349302021

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