Aero Institute
Aero Institute maintains stable assets and low liabilities despite minor operational deficits in recent years.
EIN: 161761035 · Palmdale, CA · NTEE: J22 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Aero Institute Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Aero Institute directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Aero Institute
Aero Institute (EIN: 161761035) is a nonprofit organization based in Palmdale, CA, classified under NTEE code J22. The organization reported total revenue of $2.7M and total assets of $2.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Aero Institute's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Aero Institute is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 12 years, with 5 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2013–2017). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -8.0%.
Key Financial Metrics (2017)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $2.7M |
| Total Expenses | $2.7M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-20,219 |
| Total Assets | $2.6M |
| Total Liabilities | $163K |
| Net Assets | $2.4M |
| Operating Margin | -0.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 6.3% |
| Months of Reserves | 11.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2017, Aero Institute reported a deficit of $20K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 11.6 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 6.3% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 5 years of filings (2013–2017), Aero Institute's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.0%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | -28.5% | -20.7% | +1.4% |
| 2016 | +5.5% | -2.3% | +10.9% |
| 2015 | +8.0% | +6.2% | +3.3% |
| 2014 | -12.0% | -7.7% | +3.7% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1200 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2014 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Aero Institute with a Mission Score of 85 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Aero Institute allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2017)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $20K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 6.3%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The reported 0% officer compensation across all five periods is unusual for an organization of this size ($2.6M+ revenue) and suggests that executive leadership may be volunteer-based or compensated through non-officer roles, warranting further review of the detailed 990s.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Aero Institute's IRS 990 filings:
- Reported 0% officer compensation for an organization with over $2.6M in revenue, which may indicate compensation is categorized differently or a fully volunteer executive team, requiring deeper scrutiny of detailed filings.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Aero Institute:
- Consistent asset growth from $2,153,785 in 2013 to $2,595,524 in 2017.
- Low and stable liabilities, ranging from $106,379 to $196,193, indicating strong financial stability.
- Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating transparency.
- Operational expenses generally align closely with revenues over the five-year period.
Frequently Asked Questions about Aero Institute
Is Aero Institute a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Aero Institute (EIN: 161761035) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Aero Institute spend its money?
Aero Institute directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Aero Institute tax-deductible?
Aero Institute is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 161761035). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Aero Institute a good charity?
Based on the provided data, Aero Institute appears to be a financially stable organization with consistent operations and growing assets. Its low liabilities and reported 0% officer compensation are positive indicators, though the latter warrants further investigation into the detailed 990 forms to understand the full compensation structure.
How does Aero Institute manage its expenses relative to its revenue?
Aero Institute's expenses have generally been close to its revenues. In the latest period (2017), expenses ($2,688,449) slightly exceeded revenues ($2,668,230), resulting in a minor deficit. In other periods, such as 2016, revenues ($3,731,017) exceeded expenses ($3,390,319), showing a surplus. This indicates a generally balanced approach to spending.
What is the trend in Aero Institute's assets and liabilities?
Aero Institute's assets have shown a consistent upward trend, growing from $2,153,785 in 2013 to $2,595,524 in 2017. Liabilities have remained relatively low and stable, fluctuating between $106,379 and $196,193, indicating good financial health and limited debt.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Aero Institute showing financial trends over 5 years of public records:
Over 5 years of IRS 990 filings (2013–2017), Aero Institute's revenue has declined by 28.3%, moving from $3.7M to $2.7M. Total assets increased by 20.5% over the same period, from $2.2M to $2.6M. Total functional expenses fell by 24.1%, from $3.5M to $2.7M. In its most recent filing year (2017), Aero Institute reported a deficit of $20K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $163K in liabilities against $2.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 6.3%), resulting in net assets of $2.4M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | $2.7M | $2.7M | $2.6M | $163K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $3.7M | $3.4M | $2.6M | $106K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $3.5M | $3.5M | $2.3M | $196K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $3.3M | $3.3M | $2.2M | $191K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $3.7M | $3.5M | $2.2M | $118K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2017: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $2.6M (revenue -28.5% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $3.7M, expenses of $3.4M, and assets of $2.6M (revenue +5.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $3.5M, expenses of $3.5M, and assets of $2.3M (revenue +8.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $3.3M, expenses of $3.3M, and assets of $2.2M (revenue -12.0% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $3.7M, expenses of $3.5M, and assets of $2.2M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Aero Institute:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Aero Institute is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.