Is Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art Legit?
Quick charity verification for Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art (EIN: 135562985)
Verdict: Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$286.4MRevenue
$1.2BAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown in provided data
Unusual 0% officer compensation reported, requiring further scrutiny
Strengths
Strong and growing asset base ($1.215 billion)
Consistent revenue generation and positive net income (e.g., $26.82 million surplus in 2023)
Effective expense management, with revenues consistently exceeding expenses
Long-term financial stability demonstrated by asset growth over a decade
Spending Breakdown
How Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art
Is Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art (EIN: 135562985) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art a good charity to donate to?
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $286.4M. Assets: $1.2B. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is 135562985. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art spend its money?
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art's tax-exempt status using EIN 135562985 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art demonstrates a strong financial position with over $1.2 billion in assets as of its latest filing, significantly exceeding its liabilities of $351 million. The organization consistently reports a healthy surplus, with revenues generally outpacing expenses. For instance, in fiscal year 2023, revenue was $147.25 million against expenses of $120.43 million, indicating effective financial management and resource accumulation. This consistent growth in assets and positive net income suggests long-term sustainability and capacity to fulfill its mission.
While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the overall financial health appears robust. The organization's NTEE code B420 (Colleges, Universities, Professional Schools) suggests a focus on educational programs, which typically involve substantial operational costs. The absence of reported officer compensation in the provided data is notable and could indicate either a highly volunteer-driven leadership or that compensation is reported under other categories not detailed here, warranting further investigation for full transparency.
Overall, Cooper Union appears to be a financially stable institution with a substantial asset base. Its consistent revenue generation and controlled expenses contribute to a positive financial outlook. Further detailed analysis of its functional expenses would provide a clearer picture of its spending efficiency across programs, administration, and fundraising.