Aquaya Institute
Aquaya Institute shows strong financial growth and zero officer compensation over a decade.
EIN: 202977578 · Fairfax, CA · NTEE: U40 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Aquaya Institute Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Aquaya Institute directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Aquaya Institute
Aquaya Institute (EIN: 202977578) is a nonprofit organization based in Fairfax, CA, classified under NTEE code U40. The organization reported total revenue of $5.0M and total assets of $7.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Aquaya Institute's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Aquaya Institute is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 20 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 26.4%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $10.1M |
| Total Expenses | $6.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$3.6M |
| Total Assets | $9.1M |
| Total Liabilities | $933K |
| Net Assets | $8.2M |
| Operating Margin | 35.4% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 10.2% |
| Months of Reserves | 16.7 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Aquaya Institute reported a surplus of $3.6M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 16.7 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 10.2% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Aquaya Institute's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.4%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +49.6% | +39.1% | +83.5% |
| 2022 | +85.4% | +111.8% | +79.8% |
| 2021 | +81.2% | +40.2% | +114.9% |
| 2020 | -5.0% | -24.7% | +36.5% |
| 2019 | +29.5% | +54.0% | +27.4% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 8610 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2006 |
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 Aquaya Institute with a Mission Score of 95 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: 7%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 3%
According to IRS 990 filings, Aquaya Institute allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 7%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 3%. With 90% 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 surplus of $3.6M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 10.2%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers received compensation from the organization, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size with over $10 million in annual revenue.
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 Aquaya Institute's IRS 990 filings:
- Unusually low reported liabilities relative to assets, which could warrant further investigation into financial reporting nuances, though generally a positive indicator.
- The consistent 0% officer compensation, while positive for donors, is highly unusual for an organization of this scale and could suggest alternative compensation structures or significant pro-bono leadership.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Aquaya Institute:
- Strong and consistent revenue growth, from $1,395,151 in 2017 to $10,126,211 in 2023.
- Excellent financial health with assets significantly outweighing liabilities (e.g., $9,115,780 assets vs. $932,818 liabilities in 2023).
- Remarkable transparency and commitment to mission by reporting 0% officer compensation across all available filings.
- Consistent filing of IRS 990s over 13 periods, demonstrating accountability.
- Significant accumulation of assets, indicating strong financial management and capacity building.
Frequently Asked Questions about Aquaya Institute
Is Aquaya Institute a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Aquaya Institute (EIN: 202977578) some concerns. Mission Score: 95/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Aquaya Institute spend its money?
Aquaya Institute directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Aquaya Institute tax-deductible?
Aquaya Institute is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 202977578). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Aquaya Institute a good charity?
Based on its financial data, Aquaya Institute appears to be a very good charity. It demonstrates strong financial health, consistent growth, low liabilities, and a remarkable commitment to directing all funds to its mission by reporting 0% officer compensation.
How has Aquaya Institute's revenue grown over time?
Aquaya Institute has experienced significant revenue growth, increasing from $1,395,151 in 2017 to $10,126,211 in 2023, indicating a strong upward trend in funding and support.
What is the organization's asset-to-liability ratio?
In 2023, Aquaya Institute had assets of $9,115,780 and liabilities of $932,818, resulting in an asset-to-liability ratio of approximately 9.77:1, which is very healthy and indicates strong financial stability.
How efficient is Aquaya Institute's spending?
With expenses of $6,544,669 against revenue of $10,126,211 in 2023, and a consistent record of 0% officer compensation, the organization appears highly efficient in directing its resources towards its mission, minimizing overhead on executive salaries.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Aquaya Institute showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Aquaya Institute's revenue has grown by 1568.9%, moving from $607K to $10.1M. Total assets increased by 1948.1% over the same period, from $445K to $9.1M. Total functional expenses rose by 1056.4%, from $566K to $6.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Aquaya Institute reported a surplus of $3.6M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $933K in liabilities against $9.1M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 10.2%), resulting in net assets of $8.2M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $10.1M | $6.5M | $9.1M | $933K | — | — |
| 2022 | $6.8M | $4.7M | $5.0M | $366K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $3.7M | $2.2M | $2.8M | $228K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.0M | $1.6M | $1.3M | $182K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $2.1M | $2.1M | $942K | $269K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.6M | $1.4M | $739K | $84K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $1.4M | $1.2M | $445K | $63K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $302K | $553K | $174K | $33K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $667K | $1.3M | $385K | $15K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.6M | $1.3M | $1.1M | $89K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $698K | $1.5M | $761K | $54K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $2.0M | $911K | $1.5M | $34K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $607K | $566K | $445K | $92K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $10.1M, expenses of $6.5M, and assets of $9.1M (revenue +49.6% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $6.8M, expenses of $4.7M, and assets of $5.0M (revenue +85.4% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $3.7M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $2.8M (revenue +81.2% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $1.3M (revenue -5.0% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $2.1M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $942K (revenue +29.5% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $739K (revenue +17.5% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $445K (revenue +361.8% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $302K, expenses of $553K, and assets of $174K (revenue -54.7% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $667K, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $385K (revenue -57.7% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $1.1M (revenue +125.8% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $698K, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $761K (revenue -64.8% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $911K, and assets of $1.5M (revenue +227.1% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $607K, expenses of $566K, and assets of $445K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Aquaya Institute:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Aquaya 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.