Black Rock Design Institute
Black Rock Design Institute operates on a minimal budget, frequently spending more than its revenue with no accumulated assets.
EIN: 204156579 · Reno, NV · NTEE: B60 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $6K |
| Total Expenses | $8K |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Transparency Score | 65/100 |
Is Black Rock Design Institute Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Black Rock Design Institute directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Black Rock Design Institute
Black Rock Design Institute (EIN: 204156579) is a nonprofit organization based in Reno, NV, classified under NTEE code B60. The organization reported total revenue of $6K and total assets of $0 according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Black Rock Design Institute's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Black Rock Design Institute is a micro nonprofit that has been operating for 12 years, with 6 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2013–2018). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -6.4%.
Key Financial Metrics (2018)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $6K |
| Total Expenses | $8K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-1,589 |
| Total Assets | $0 |
| Net Assets | $0 |
| Operating Margin | -25.4% |
| Months of Reserves | 0.0 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2018, Black Rock Design Institute reported a deficit of $2K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 0.0 months of operating reserves (limited).
Financial Trends
Over 6 years of filings (2013–2018), Black Rock Design Institute's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.4%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | -13.2% | +10.9% | — |
| 2017 | +20.2% | +42.8% | — |
| 2016 | +2.6% | -25.0% | -100.0% |
| 2015 | +88.1% | +210.9% | +0.0% |
| 2014 | -64.2% | -75.0% | +0.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| 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 Black Rock Design Institute 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: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Black Rock Design 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 (2018)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $2K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all six filings, indicating that the organization's leadership is unpaid, which is highly commendable for a nonprofit of any size.
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 Black Rock Design Institute's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operational deficits in multiple periods (e.g., 201806, 201506)
- Zero reported assets across all filings, indicating no financial reserves
- Very small scale of operations, making it vulnerable to minor financial fluctuations
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Black Rock Design Institute:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating volunteer leadership
- Regular IRS 990 filings, demonstrating transparency
- Lean operational model with minimal overhead
Frequently Asked Questions about Black Rock Design Institute
Is Black Rock Design Institute a legitimate charity?
Black Rock Design Institute (EIN: 204156579) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Nevada. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 65/100. It has 6 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $6K. 3 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: C.
How does Black Rock Design Institute spend its money?
Black Rock Design Institute directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Black Rock Design Institute tax-deductible?
Black Rock Design Institute is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 204156579). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Black Rock Design Institute's spending goes to programs?
Black Rock Design Institute directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Black Rock Design Institute compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 65/100 (Good), Black Rock Design Institute is above average for NTEE category B60 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Black Rock Design Institute located?
Black Rock Design Institute is headquartered in Reno, Nevada and files with the IRS under EIN 204156579. It is classified under NTEE code B60.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Black Rock Design Institute have?
Black Rock Design Institute has 6 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $6K in total revenue.
Is Black Rock Design Institute financially stable?
No, the organization shows signs of financial instability. It consistently reports $0 in assets and has experienced periods where expenses exceeded revenue, such as in 201806 ($7,839 expenses vs. $6,250 revenue) and 201506 ($6,604 expenses vs. $5,841 revenue), indicating a reliance on immediate funding without a financial cushion.
How does Black Rock Design Institute manage its expenses?
The organization operates on a very tight budget, with expenses often closely matching or slightly exceeding its minimal revenue. The consistent 0% officer compensation suggests a lean operational model, likely relying on volunteers and minimal overhead.
What is the trend in Black Rock Design Institute's revenue?
Revenue has fluctuated over the years, ranging from a low of $3,105 in 201406 to a high of $8,679 in 201306. The latest reported revenue for 201806 was $6,250, indicating no significant growth trend but rather consistent operation at a very small scale.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Black Rock Design Institute showing financial trends over 6 years of public records:
Over 6 years of IRS 990 filings (2013–2018), Black Rock Design Institute's revenue has declined by 28%, moving from $9K to $6K. Total assets decreased by 100% over the same period, from $1 to $0. Total functional expenses fell by 7.9%, from $9K to $8K. In its most recent filing year (2018), Black Rock Design Institute reported a deficit of $2K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | $6K | $8K | $0 | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $7K | $7K | $0 | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $6K | $5K | $0 | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $6K | $7K | $1 | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $3K | $2K | $1 | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $9K | $9K | $1 | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2018: Revenue of $6K, expenses of $8K, and assets of $0 (revenue -13.2% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $7K, expenses of $7K, and assets of $0 (revenue +20.2% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $6K, expenses of $5K, and assets of $0 (revenue +2.6% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $6K, expenses of $7K, and assets of $1 (revenue +88.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $3K, expenses of $2K, and assets of $1 (revenue -64.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $9K, expenses of $9K, and assets of $1.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Black Rock Design Institute:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Black Rock Design 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.