Northrise University Initiative 
The information on this page was last updated 1/15/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
The Northrise University Initiative (NUI) exists to support and communicate the vision and mission of NU, to accelerate growth and provide opportunities for students and faculty. Such expansion is not an end unto itself. Rather, growing is part of our overall vision and mission to transform Zambia and beyond, ONE STUDENT at a time.
Northrise directly addresses key issues that will advance Zambia to become a beacon of hope, stability, and prosperity in Africa. Amid limited economic opportunity, vast economic disparity, and brain drain, Northrise University provides an affordable, high-quality education that empowers students and graduates to create and participate in a broader economy, with an expanding middle class, as entrepreneurs, managers, and government leaders. Thus, NU is making a difference in the lives of Zambian students, who are, in turn, changing Zambia into a model of economic progress for the rest of Africa.
To these ends, NUI creates opportunities and involvement through our:
Scholarship Fund
Capital Campaigns
Partnerships
Contact information
Mailing address:
Northrise University Initiative
PO Box 4441
Scottsdale, AZ 85261
Website: northrise.edu.zm
Phone: 602-330-6274
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 954749034
CEO/President: Lameck Mwewa
Chairman: Jeff Goble
Board size: 5
Founder: Doreen Zimba and Moffat Zimba
Ruling year: 2000
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 2012
Purpose
Northrise University is one of the premier Christian universities in Southern Africa preparing students for their unique God-given purpose. We envision a future in which Zambia boasts of having the "#1 Private University in southern Africa" - Northrise University. Each student educated by Northrise advances this vision and Zambia has transformed one student at a time. At our century mark in 2104, we envision 80,000 alumni each making a difference in their community and transforming Africa. Northrise stays on track toward this vision with a strategic plan led by our Founders and Board of Regents.
The vision of Northrise University is to transform the nation of Zambia spiritually and economically, one student at a time.
Mission statement
To develop Christ-centered dedicated professionals and engaged global citizens devoted to the spiritual and economic transformation of Zambia and Africa.
Statement of faith
Articles
| 5/19/2026 | More Than a Diploma |
Donor confidence score
Show donor confidence score details
To understand our donor confidence score, click here.
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Colleges/Universities
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 46 of 1420 | 2 of 155 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 4 of 1420 | 1 of 155 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 187 of 1420 | 5 of 155 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 293 of 1421 | 30 of 155 |
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 13% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 0% | 0% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 0% | 0% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 15% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 102% | 101% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 0% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 85% | 0% | 0% | 0% | -2% | -1% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 96% | 96% | 97% | 98% | 98% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 96% | 79% | 134% | 90% | 80% | 143% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 81% | 76% | 129% | 87% | 78% | 141% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 4% | 21% | -34% | 10% | 20% | -43% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | 39% | -63% | 19% | 55% | -161% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 14% | 3% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 1% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.53 | 1.48 | 2.37 | 1.55 | 1.99 | 4.44 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.73 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.45 | 1.48 | 2.37 | 1.55 | 1.99 | 4.44 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.18 | 100.01 | 18.82 | 19.38 | 14.96 | 7.82 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.12 | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.07 | 0.13 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 6.96 | 8.05 | 4.79 | 7.34 | 5.63 | 2.36 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 20% | 1% | 5% | 6% | 7% | 17% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 10% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 148% | 67% | 40% | 61% | 47% | 19% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Cash | $2,280,641 | $1,514,339 | $2,475,527 | $2,055,256 | $1,018,110 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $104,133 | $12,532 | $25,414 | $4,511 | $30,532 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $2,384,774 | $1,526,871 | $2,500,941 | $2,059,767 | $1,048,642 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $1,135 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $0 | $1,135 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total assets | $2,384,774 | $1,528,006 | $2,500,941 | $2,059,767 | $1,048,642 |
| Liabilities | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $23,845 | $81,141 | $129,039 | $137,167 | $133,615 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $500 | $500 |
| Total current liabilities | $23,845 | $81,141 | $129,039 | $137,667 | $134,115 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $9,990 | $980 | $42,351 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $9,990 | $980 | $42,351 |
| Total liabilities | $23,845 | $81,141 | $139,029 | $138,647 | $176,466 |
| Net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Without donor restrictions | ($131,977) | ($207,050) | $179,059 | $125,734 | $291,557 |
| With donor restrictions | $2,492,906 | $1,653,915 | $2,182,853 | $1,795,386 | $580,619 |
| Net assets | $2,360,929 | $1,446,865 | $2,361,912 | $1,921,120 | $872,176 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Total contributions | $4,444,950 | $2,711,456 | $4,321,368 | $5,227,098 | $3,271,813 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | ($11,819) | ($2,196) | ($2,289) | $168 | $0 |
| Other revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | ($84,030) | ($22,393) |
| Total other revenue | ($11,819) | ($2,196) | ($2,289) | ($83,862) | ($22,393) |
| Total revenue | $4,433,131 | $2,709,260 | $4,319,079 | $5,143,236 | $3,249,420 |
| Expenses | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Program services | $3,372,343 | $3,490,130 | $3,744,889 | $3,998,930 | $4,582,363 |
| Management and general | $108,270 | $85,429 | $101,696 | $84,281 | $61,976 |
| Fundraising | $38,454 | $48,748 | $31,702 | $11,081 | $10,761 |
| Total expenses | $3,519,067 | $3,624,307 | $3,878,287 | $4,094,292 | $4,655,100 |
| Change in net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $914,064 | ($915,047) | $440,792 | $1,048,944 | ($1,405,680) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $914,064 | ($915,047) | $440,792 | $1,048,944 | ($1,405,680) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Michael Ball | Executive Dir. | $144,718 |
| Moffat Zimba | Member | $37,050 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2024
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 1/15/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
1988 - God calls the Zimbas to bring transformation into the lives of Zambian students, who could then help improve the lives of others, together bringing change to their nation.
2004 - After 16 years of tireless work, and with collaboration between Zambia, Australia, and the United States, Northrise was born. Initial enrollment was 50 students in downtown Ndola. Northrise was the first nationally recognized private university in Zambia.
Today - With over 1000 students currently enrolled and over 500 alumni, and in conjunction with its deep Christian worldview, full accreditation, and eleven degree programs, Northrise students are transforming their communities and nation.
For more details, visit: https://northrise.edu.zm/about/history/