American Culinary Federation Inc
American Culinary Federation Inc. frequently operates at a deficit, with liabilities often exceeding assets.
EIN: 131605933 · Jacksonville, FL · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is American Culinary Federation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
American Culinary Federation Inc directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About American Culinary Federation Inc
American Culinary Federation Inc (EIN: 131605933) is a nonprofit organization based in Jacksonville, FL. The organization reported total revenue of $3.8M and total assets of $2.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of American Culinary Federation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
American Culinary Federation Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 61 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -2.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $3.8M |
| Total Expenses | $4.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-705,931 |
| Total Assets | $1.6M |
| Total Liabilities | $2.1M |
| Net Assets | $-538,615 |
| Operating Margin | -18.6% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 134.7% |
| Months of Reserves | 4.1 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, American Culinary Federation Inc reported a deficit of $706K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 4.1 months of operating reserves (adequate), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 134.7% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), American Culinary Federation Inc's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +7.7% | +29.4% | -6.0% |
| 2022 | -10.2% | +7.6% | +4.3% |
| 2021 | +43.9% | +22.6% | -49.0% |
| 2020 | -39.1% | -44.8% | +58.6% |
| 2019 | -2.0% | +5.8% | -3.9% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1965 |
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 Culinary Federation Inc with a Mission Score of 65 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 Culinary Federation 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 $706K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 134.7%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no compensation was paid to officers, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size with annual revenues typically exceeding $3 million.
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 Culinary Federation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Frequent operating deficits (e.g., 2023, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2014)
- Liabilities consistently exceeding assets (e.g., 2023, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014)
- Unusually low or 0% reported officer compensation for an organization of this size, which may warrant further investigation into compensation structures.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for American Culinary Federation Inc:
- Consistent revenue generation in the multi-million dollar range.
- Stable asset base over the long term.
- Reported 0% officer compensation, indicating a potential commitment to minimizing executive overhead or reliance on volunteer leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions about American Culinary Federation Inc
Is American Culinary Federation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Culinary Federation Inc (EIN: 131605933) some concerns. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does American Culinary Federation Inc spend its money?
American Culinary Federation Inc directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to American Culinary Federation Inc tax-deductible?
American Culinary Federation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 131605933). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How does American Culinary Federation Inc. manage its recurring operating deficits?
The filings show frequent periods where expenses exceed revenue, raising questions about how these deficits are covered and sustained without significant asset depletion or increased debt.
What is the reason for 0% officer compensation reported consistently?
It is highly unusual for an organization with multi-million dollar revenues to report no officer compensation. This could indicate that officers are compensated through other means not categorized as 'officer compensation' or that the organization relies heavily on volunteer leadership, which would be a significant strength.
What is the plan to address the consistent trend of liabilities exceeding assets?
In multiple years, including 2023, liabilities have been higher than assets, suggesting potential solvency concerns that need to be addressed.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for American Culinary Federation Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), American Culinary Federation Inc's revenue has declined by 28.2%, moving from $5.3M to $3.8M. Total assets decreased by 45.8% over the same period, from $2.9M to $1.6M. Total functional expenses fell by 13.4%, from $5.2M to $4.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), American Culinary Federation Inc reported a deficit of $706K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $2.1M in liabilities against $1.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 134.7%), resulting in net assets of $-538,615.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.8M | $4.5M | $1.6M | $2.1M | — | — |
| 2022 | $3.5M | $3.5M | $1.7M | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $3.9M | $3.2M | $1.6M | $1.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.7M | $2.6M | $3.1M | $3.6M | — | — |
| 2019 | $4.5M | $4.8M | $2.0M | $2.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $4.6M | $4.5M | $2.0M | $2.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $4.6M | $4.7M | $1.8M | $2.2M | — | — |
| 2016 | $4.6M | $4.5M | $2.0M | $2.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $4.4M | $4.6M | $2.1M | $2.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $4.8M | $5.5M | $2.0M | $2.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $4.9M | $5.1M | $2.4M | $1.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $5.1M | $4.9M | $2.9M | $2.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $5.3M | $5.2M | $2.9M | $2.4M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $3.8M, expenses of $4.5M, and assets of $1.6M (revenue +7.7% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $3.5M, expenses of $3.5M, and assets of $1.7M (revenue -10.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $3.9M, expenses of $3.2M, and assets of $1.6M (revenue +43.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $3.1M (revenue -39.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $4.5M, expenses of $4.8M, and assets of $2.0M (revenue -2.0% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $4.6M, expenses of $4.5M, and assets of $2.0M (revenue -1.7% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $4.6M, expenses of $4.7M, and assets of $1.8M (revenue +0.5% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $4.6M, expenses of $4.5M, and assets of $2.0M (revenue +4.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $4.4M, expenses of $4.6M, and assets of $2.1M (revenue -6.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $4.8M, expenses of $5.5M, and assets of $2.0M (revenue -3.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $4.9M, expenses of $5.1M, and assets of $2.4M (revenue -3.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $5.1M, expenses of $4.9M, and assets of $2.9M (revenue -3.2% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $5.3M, expenses of $5.2M, and assets of $2.9M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for American Culinary Federation Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for American Culinary Federation 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.