Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS)
The Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) is a regional organization of private schools. The NWAIS provides resources to its member schools and trains education administrators to implement the organization’s left-of-center agenda on race and gender. The NWAIS also offers sponsorship opportunities to corporations, touting its ability to promote sponsors’ products and services to its member schools. 1
Contents
The NWAIS is a member organization with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the largest network of private schools in the United States. The NAIS has more than 1600 member schools that enroll nearly 700,000 students. 2
Critical Race Theory
In February 2022, the right-of-center law publication Legal Insurrection announced the launch of an investigation into National Association of Independent Schools and its member organizations, which include Northwest Association of Independent Schools. Led by journalist and former teacher Paul Rossi, the investigation centers on the apparent promotion of left-progressive race and gender ideology within NAIS. Legal Insurrection highlighted statements by leading left-progressive activists affiliated with NAIS, as well as curriculum changes which the association expects its member organizations to implement. 3
NAIS has hosted Bettina Love, the co-founder of the radical-left Abolitionist Teaching Network, as a keynote speaker at its “People of Color Conference.” Love’s organization claims that school disciplinary measures are a form of “spirit murder” of minority children. The association has also promoted the writings of radical-left ideologue Ibram X. Kendi, who claims that race-neutral policies are inherently discriminatory. Legal Insurrection has asserted that to suppress opposition to its policies and curriculum recommendations, the NAIS has recommended that its member schools bar parents from involvement in their school communities and even expel their children. The publication further claimed that the association has also recommended that school administrators treat dissenting parents and community members as if they are mentally ill. 3
Financials
In 2020, Northwest Association of Independent Schools received close to $1.5 million in total revenue. Less than one percent came from donations and grants, with the overwhelming majority coming from program service fees. 4
Financial Statistics
Total Assets
Total Revenue
Total Expenses
| Year | Total Assets | Total Revenue | Total Expenses | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,880,690 | $2,166,383 | $2,099,575 | |
| 2024 | $1,925,845 | $2,037,429 | $1,918,570 | View |
| 2023 | $1,791,836 | $1,849,190 | $1,783,177 | View |
| 2022 | $1,632,986 | $1,568,104 | $1,526,087 | View |
| 2021 | $1,583,917 | $1,378,116 | $1,262,367 | View |
| 2020 | $1,384,110 | $1,485,780 | $1,436,565 | View |
Prior year filings: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012
Revenue Detail
Expenses Detail
Employee Compensation
- Number of Employees: 7
Highest Earning Employees
| Employee | Title | Total Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Crotty | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $291,992 |
| Emily McGrath | ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR | $149,683 |
| Julie McGuire | BUSINESS MANAGER | $113,643 |
| Betsy Watkins | DIRECTOR OF ACCREDITATION | $109,407 |
Grant Activity
All-time grants received statistics from Candid dataset:
- Total Grant Value: $141,750
- Number of Grants: 2
- Number of Funders: 1
Selection of highest value grants received from the last seven years:
| Amount | Year | Funder | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| $70,000 | 2023 | The Edward E Ford Foundation Xxxxx2009 | GENERAL |