American Cancer Society Inc
American Cancer Society faces recurring operating deficits despite substantial assets.
EIN: 131788491 · Atlanta, GA · NTEE: G300 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is American Cancer Society Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
American Cancer Society Inc directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About American Cancer Society Inc
American Cancer Society Inc (EIN: 131788491) is a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta, GA, classified under NTEE code G300. The organization reported total revenue of $3.2B and total assets of $1.7B according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of American Cancer Society Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
American Cancer Society Inc is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 84 years, with 14 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 4.8%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $656.8M |
| Total Expenses | $756.3M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-99,434,489 |
| Total Assets | $1.8B |
| Total Liabilities | $531.3M |
| Net Assets | $1.3B |
| Operating Margin | -15.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 29.4% |
| Months of Reserves | 28.7 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, American Cancer Society Inc reported a deficit of $99.4M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 28.7 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 29.4% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 14 years of filings (2011–2023), American Cancer Society Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -2.6% | +13.0% | +1.6% |
| 2022 | -8.2% | +15.8% | -5.9% |
| 2021 | +27.4% | +2.4% | +11.3% |
| 2020 | -20.0% | -22.8% | +1.5% |
| 2019 | -6.5% | -1.3% | +2.4% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2800 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1942 |
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 American Cancer Society Inc with a Mission Score of 70 out of 100 (Good). 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: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, American Cancer Society Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $99.4M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 29.4%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The provided data consistently shows 0% for Officer Compensation, which is unusual for an organization of this scale with billions in revenue and assets. This suggests executive compensation may be reported under other expense categories or is not captured by this specific metric, requiring further detailed review of their full IRS 990 forms for clarity.
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 American Cancer Society Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Recurring operating deficits (e.g., $99.4M in 2023, $10.5M in 2019, $25M in 2017, $54M in 2016, $91M in 2015).
- Consistent reporting of 0% for Officer Compensation, which may obscure actual executive pay.
- Significant fluctuations in annual revenue and expenses, indicating potential volatility in financial operations.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for American Cancer Society Inc:
- Maintains a very strong asset base, consistently above $1.6 billion, providing financial stability.
- Demonstrates a large scale of operations with annual revenues consistently in the hundreds of millions.
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (14 filings), indicating consistent reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions about American Cancer Society Inc
Is American Cancer Society Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Cancer Society Inc (EIN: 131788491) some concerns. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does American Cancer Society Inc spend its money?
American Cancer Society Inc directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to American Cancer Society Inc tax-deductible?
American Cancer Society Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 131788491). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How does the American Cancer Society cover its operating deficits, such as the $99.4 million deficit in 2023?
The organization likely covers operating deficits by drawing from its substantial asset base, which stood at $1.8 billion in 2023, or through investment income, as expenses have exceeded revenue in multiple years.
What is the actual executive compensation for the American Cancer Society, given the 0% reported?
The 0% reported for Officer Compensation across all filings is highly unusual for an organization of this size. A full review of their IRS 990, Part VII, Section A would be necessary to understand how executive compensation is reported and what the actual figures are.
What is the detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses for the American Cancer Society?
The provided summary data does not offer a detailed functional expense breakdown. A full IRS 990, Part IX, Statement of Functional Expenses, would be required to accurately assess the proportion of spending on programs, administration, and fundraising.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for American Cancer Society Inc showing financial trends over 14 years of public records:
Over 14 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), American Cancer Society Inc's revenue has grown by 75.6%, moving from $374.0M to $656.8M. Total assets increased by 18.9% over the same period, from $1.5B to $1.8B. Total functional expenses rose by 102.5%, from $373.5M to $756.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), American Cancer Society Inc reported a deficit of $99.4M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $531.3M in liabilities against $1.8B in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 29.4%), resulting in net assets of $1.3B.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $656.8M | $756.3M | $1.8B | $531.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $674.5M | $669.2M | $1.8B | $525.4M | — | — |
| 2021 | $734.4M | $577.7M | $1.9B | $499.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $576.3M | $564.0M | $1.7B | $512.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $720.1M | $730.7M | $1.7B | $559.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $769.9M | $740.6M | $1.6B | $541.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $788.6M | $813.6M | $1.7B | $582.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $813.2M | $867.4M | $1.7B | $582.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $824.7M | $916.0M | $1.7B | $612.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $847.9M | $843.3M | $1.9B | $691.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $919.5M | $924.0M | $1.9B | $587.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $230.7M | $357.9M | $1.9B | $767.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $376.3M | $408.9M | $1.7B | $1.2B | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $374.0M | $373.5M | $1.5B | $996.8M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $656.8M, expenses of $756.3M, and assets of $1.8B (revenue -2.6% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $674.5M, expenses of $669.2M, and assets of $1.8B (revenue -8.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $734.4M, expenses of $577.7M, and assets of $1.9B (revenue +27.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $576.3M, expenses of $564.0M, and assets of $1.7B (revenue -20.0% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $720.1M, expenses of $730.7M, and assets of $1.7B (revenue -6.5% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $769.9M, expenses of $740.6M, and assets of $1.6B (revenue -2.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $788.6M, expenses of $813.6M, and assets of $1.7B (revenue -3.0% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $813.2M, expenses of $867.4M, and assets of $1.7B (revenue -1.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $824.7M, expenses of $916.0M, and assets of $1.7B (revenue -2.7% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $847.9M, expenses of $843.3M, and assets of $1.9B (revenue -7.8% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $919.5M, expenses of $924.0M, and assets of $1.9B (revenue +298.5% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $230.7M, expenses of $357.9M, and assets of $1.9B (revenue -38.7% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $376.3M, expenses of $408.9M, and assets of $1.7B (revenue +0.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $374.0M, expenses of $373.5M, and assets of $1.5B.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for American Cancer Society Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for American Cancer Society Inc 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.