American Council Of Learned Societies
American Council Of Learned Societies maintains substantial assets despite fluctuating revenues and occasional deficit spending.
EIN: 131851145 · New York, NY · NTEE: A030 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is American Council Of Learned Societies Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
American Council Of Learned Societies directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About American Council Of Learned Societies
American Council Of Learned Societies (EIN: 131851145) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY, classified under NTEE code A030. The organization reported total revenue of $71.1M and total assets of $200.3M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of American Council Of Learned Societies's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
American Council Of Learned Societies is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 73 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 0.3%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $32.5M |
| Total Expenses | $34.0M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-1,423,239 |
| Total Assets | $185.7M |
| Total Liabilities | $13.4M |
| Net Assets | $172.3M |
| Operating Margin | -4.4% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 7.2% |
| Months of Reserves | 65.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, American Council Of Learned Societies reported a deficit of $1.4M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 65.6 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 7.2% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), American Council Of Learned Societies's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.3%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -32.3% | -10.2% | +3.1% |
| 2022 | +104.3% | +2.2% | -17.4% |
| 2021 | -37.2% | +-0.0% | +9.3% |
| 2020 | +4.1% | +1.3% | -1.6% |
| 2019 | +7.9% | +23.7% | +4.2% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1953 |
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 Council Of Learned Societies with a Mission Score of 75 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 Council Of Learned Societies 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 $1.4M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 7.2%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The consistent reporting of 'Officer Comp=0%' across all available IRS 990 filings is highly unusual for an organization of this size with assets exceeding $200 million and annual expenses often above $30 million. This suggests either that officers are genuinely uncompensated, or their compensation is reported under different categories, which could obscure a complete picture of executive remuneration.
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 Council Of Learned Societies's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent reporting of 'Officer Comp=0%' for an organization of this size, which may obscure actual executive remuneration.
- Occasional deficit spending, such as in 202306 (Expenses $33.9M, Revenue $32.5M) and 202106 (Expenses $37.0M, Revenue $23.5M), which, if sustained, could impact long-term financial health.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for American Council Of Learned Societies:
- Strong and stable asset base, with latest assets at $200,277,168, providing significant financial resilience.
- Long history of consistent operations and IRS 990 filings (13 filings), indicating organizational maturity and compliance.
- Ability to generate substantial revenue, with the latest reported revenue at $71,054,249, demonstrating strong fundraising or endowment performance.
Frequently Asked Questions about American Council Of Learned Societies
Is American Council Of Learned Societies a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Council Of Learned Societies (EIN: 131851145) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does American Council Of Learned Societies spend its money?
American Council Of Learned Societies directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to American Council Of Learned Societies tax-deductible?
American Council Of Learned Societies is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 131851145). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is American Council Of Learned Societies a good charity?
Based on its substantial and stable asset base ($200,277,168 latest assets) and consistent operations over a decade, ACLS appears to be a well-established organization. The reported 'Officer Comp=0%' across all filings is a unique aspect that could be interpreted positively for resource allocation, but also warrants further inquiry for full transparency.
How does ACLS manage its financial stability given revenue fluctuations?
ACLS manages financial stability through its significant asset base, which has consistently been above $160 million. This allows the organization to absorb periods of deficit spending, such as in 202306 (Expenses $33.9M vs. Revenue $32.5M) and 202106 (Expenses $37.0M vs. Revenue $23.5M), while still maintaining long-term financial health.
What is the significance of 'Officer Comp=0%' in all filings?
The 'Officer Comp=0%' reported in all filings means that no compensation was specifically reported for officers. This could indicate that officers are volunteers, or that their compensation is included within other expense categories, which would require a deeper dive into the detailed 990 forms to fully understand.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for American Council Of Learned Societies showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), American Council Of Learned Societies's revenue has grown by 3.7%, moving from $31.4M to $32.5M. Total assets increased by 31.9% over the same period, from $140.8M to $185.7M. Total functional expenses rose by 42.3%, from $23.9M to $34.0M. In its most recent filing year (2023), American Council Of Learned Societies reported a deficit of $1.4M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $13.4M in liabilities against $185.7M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 7.2%), resulting in net assets of $172.3M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $32.5M | $34.0M | $185.7M | $13.4M | — | — |
| 2022 | $48.0M | $37.8M | $180.1M | $17.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $23.5M | $37.0M | $218.1M | $22.5M | — | — |
| 2020 | $37.4M | $37.0M | $199.6M | $22.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $36.0M | $36.6M | $202.9M | $25.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $33.3M | $29.6M | $194.8M | $22.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $29.2M | $27.5M | $183.3M | $24.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $33.7M | $25.5M | $165.4M | $23.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $22.2M | $26.5M | $160.6M | $22.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $28.4M | $22.4M | $165.2M | $19.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $21.8M | $21.6M | $152.5M | $23.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $17.5M | $22.8M | $138.7M | $23.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $31.4M | $23.9M | $140.8M | $23.3M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $32.5M, expenses of $34.0M, and assets of $185.7M (revenue -32.3% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $48.0M, expenses of $37.8M, and assets of $180.1M (revenue +104.3% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $23.5M, expenses of $37.0M, and assets of $218.1M (revenue -37.2% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $37.4M, expenses of $37.0M, and assets of $199.6M (revenue +4.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $36.0M, expenses of $36.6M, and assets of $202.9M (revenue +7.9% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $33.3M, expenses of $29.6M, and assets of $194.8M (revenue +14.2% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $29.2M, expenses of $27.5M, and assets of $183.3M (revenue -13.4% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $33.7M, expenses of $25.5M, and assets of $165.4M (revenue +51.6% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $22.2M, expenses of $26.5M, and assets of $160.6M (revenue -21.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $28.4M, expenses of $22.4M, and assets of $165.2M (revenue +30.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $21.8M, expenses of $21.6M, and assets of $152.5M (revenue +24.9% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $17.5M, expenses of $22.8M, and assets of $138.7M (revenue -44.3% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $31.4M, expenses of $23.9M, and assets of $140.8M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for American Council Of Learned Societies 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.