Is Research Foundation For The State University Of New York Legit?

Quick charity verification for Research Foundation For The State University Of New York (EIN: 141368361)

Verdict: Research Foundation For The State University Of New York appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score

$2.4BRevenue

$1.9BAssets

2Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

Consistent 0% reported officer compensation, which is atypical for an organization of this scale and requires further clarification.
Significant jump in latest reported revenue ($2.3B) compared to prior years (around $1.3B), which needs explanation for its source and sustainability.

Strengths

Consistent revenue generation exceeding $1 billion annually over the past decade, demonstrating financial stability.
Strong asset growth from $711 million in 2014 to over $1.9 billion currently, indicating effective financial management and reinvestment.
Healthy surplus in most recent fiscal years (e.g., $37.9 million in 2023), allowing for reinvestment and operational resilience.
High program spending efficiency, with expenses closely aligning with revenues, suggesting most funds are directed towards its mission.

Spending Breakdown

How Research Foundation For The State University Of New York allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Research Foundation For The State University Of New York

Is Research Foundation For The State University Of New York a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Research Foundation For The State University Of New York (EIN: 141368361) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Research Foundation For The State University Of New York a good charity to donate to?

Research Foundation For The State University Of New York has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $2.4B. Assets: $1.9B. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Research Foundation For The State University Of New York?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Research Foundation For The State University Of New York is 141368361. 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 Research Foundation For The State University Of New York spend its money?

Research Foundation For The State University Of New York allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Research Foundation For The State University Of New York's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Research Foundation For The State University Of New York's tax-exempt status using EIN 141368361 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 Research Foundation For The State University Of New York demonstrates robust financial health, with its latest reported revenue at $2,365,794,726 and assets at $1,937,921,505. Over the past decade, the organization has consistently managed substantial revenues and expenses, indicating a stable operational capacity. For instance, in fiscal year 2023, revenues were $1,395,404,960 against expenses of $1,357,481,624, showing a healthy surplus. The organization's assets have also shown consistent growth, from $711,530,152 in 2014 to over $1.9 billion currently, suggesting effective asset management and reinvestment.

Spending efficiency appears strong, particularly given the nature of a research foundation where a significant portion of expenses would naturally be directed towards program services. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not explicitly detailed in the provided summary, the overall expense-to-revenue ratios across the years indicate that the vast majority of funds are utilized for the organization's mission. For example, in 2023, expenses were approximately 97% of revenue, implying a high allocation to operational activities.

Transparency regarding executive compensation is notable, with 'Officer Comp' consistently reported as 0% across all provided filings. This suggests that key officers may be compensated through other mechanisms not reported in this specific line item, or that the foundation operates with a unique compensation structure. Further investigation into the full 990 forms would be necessary to fully understand the compensation practices for all highly compensated individuals. The consistent filing of 12 IRS 990 forms over the years indicates a commitment to regulatory compliance and public disclosure.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.