Quick charity verification for The Ross Institute Inc (EIN: 10880911)
Verdict: The Ross Institute Inc shows mixed signals
55/100Mission Score
$23.3MRevenue
$53.6MAssets
3Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits, with expenses exceeding revenue for multiple years (e.g., $5.48M deficit in 202306).
Significant decline in total assets, from over $112M in 201406 to $60.79M in 202306, indicating a draw on reserves.
Revenue has decreased substantially from a high of $54.39M in 201406 to $28.64M in 202306, while expenses have remained relatively high.
Strengths
Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating strong transparency regarding executive pay and potentially efficient use of leadership resources.
Maintains substantial assets ($60.79M in 202306), providing some buffer despite the declining trend.
Spending Breakdown
How The Ross Institute Inc 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 The Ross Institute Inc
Is The Ross Institute Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Ross Institute Inc (EIN: 10880911) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is The Ross Institute Inc a good charity to donate to?
The Ross Institute Inc has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $23.3M. Assets: $53.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Ross Institute Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Ross Institute Inc is 10880911. 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 The Ross Institute Inc spend its money?
The Ross Institute Inc allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Ross Institute Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Ross Institute Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 10880911 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 Ross Institute Inc. demonstrates a concerning trend of declining revenue and increasing deficits over the past several years. In the most recent filing (202306), the organization reported revenue of $28,637,193 against expenses of $34,118,336, resulting in a deficit of over $5 million. This continues a pattern seen in 202206 (revenue $24,615,491, expenses $34,673,518) and 202106 (revenue $23,703,181, expenses $30,162,237).
Assets have also significantly decreased, from a high of $112,166,658 in 201406 to $60,786,215 in 202306, indicating a substantial draw on reserves. While the organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a positive for transparency regarding executive pay, the overall financial health appears to be deteriorating, with expenses consistently outstripping revenue.
The sustained operational deficits and the substantial reduction in assets raise questions about the long-term sustainability and financial management of the institute. A detailed breakdown of spending efficiency (program vs. administrative vs. fundraising) is not provided in the summary data, making a full assessment of spending efficiency challenging without further detail from the 990 forms.