Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc
Boyce Thompson Institute consistently spends more than it earns annually, relying on substantial asset base.
EIN: 131739923 · Ithaca, NY · NTEE: U500 · Updated: 2026-03-28
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Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc is mapped to EIN 131739923.
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| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $47.7M |
| Total Expenses | $21.8M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| Net Assets | $74.5M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
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Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc Form 990, Revenue, CEO Pay, and IRS Filing Signals
Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc is surfaced here as a decision-ready nonprofit financial profile, not just a charity listing. The page consolidates IRS Form 990 revenue, expenses, assets, tax-exempt classification, executive compensation, mission score, red flags, and year-by-year filing history so donors, researchers, journalists, and grant teams can answer the common search questions around Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc in one place.
Form 990 Filing Summary
13 filing years are available, with latest revenue of $12.8M and expenses of $21.8M.
Revenue and Expenses
Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc reported $12.8M in revenue and $21.8M in expenses, a deficit of $9.0M.
Executive Compensation
Officer, director, trustee, and key employee pay is reviewed from IRS 990 compensation disclosures when present.
Charity Score and Red Flags
85/100 mission score, 2 red flags, and 4 strengths are shown from structured and AI review.
Is Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
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Revenue-source line items are not available on the stored filing yet. Future ingestion now preserves contribution, program-revenue, and investment-income fields when ProPublica provides them.
Expense Deployment
| Program services | $18.5M (85%) |
Across stored filings, Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc shows contribution history pending. Next enrichment targets: revenue-source fields, IRS BMF classification.
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| Decision Lens | Signal | What to Inspect Next |
|---|---|---|
| Legitimacy | Some Concerns | Good filing record; 2 red flags identified |
| Mission spend | 85% to programs | Excellent |
| Financial durability | Grade B | 13 stored filing years |
| Peer context | Compare with Healthy Capital District Initiative | New York and Category U context |
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Ithaca, NY nonprofitsCategory U in New York
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Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc
Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc (EIN: 131739923) is a nonprofit organization based in Ithaca, NY, classified under NTEE code U500. The organization reported total revenue of $47.7M and total assets of $85.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 88 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -3.4%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $12.8M |
| Total Expenses | $21.8M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-8,955,507 |
| Total Assets | $82.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $8.3M |
| Net Assets | $74.5M |
| Operating Margin | -69.9% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 10.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 45.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc reported a deficit of $9.0M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 45.6 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 10.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.4%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -4.5% | -0.7% | -3.0% |
| 2022 | -19.7% | +19.9% | -15.6% |
| 2021 | +45.2% | +6.6% | +13.7% |
| 2020 | -12.5% | -5.5% | +4.9% |
| 2019 | -24.5% | -5.1% | +7.6% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 8000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1938 |
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 Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc with a Mission Score of 85 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: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% 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 $9.0M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 10.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The IRS 990 filings consistently report 0% officer compensation, suggesting that executive leadership may be uncompensated or compensated through other non-officer roles, which is highly favorable for directing resources to the organization's mission.
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 Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent annual operating deficits (e.g., $8.9M deficit in 202312, $8.5M in 202212)
- Significant decrease in assets from $103.2M in 201412 to $82.7M in 202312, indicating potential drawdowns
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc:
- Strong asset base (over $80M) providing financial stability
- Consistent IRS 990 filings demonstrating transparency
- 0% reported officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for mission
- Clear mission focus on plant research (NTEE U500)
Frequently Asked Questions about Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc
Is Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc a legitimate charity?
Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc (EIN: 131739923) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 85/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $47.7M. 2 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc spend its money?
Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc tax-deductible?
Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 131739923). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc's spending goes to programs?
Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc is above average for NTEE category U500 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc located?
Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc is headquartered in Ithaca, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 131739923. It is classified under NTEE code U500.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc have?
Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc has 13 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 $47.7M in total revenue.
Is Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc. financially sustainable given its consistent annual deficits?
While the organization has consistently reported annual expenses exceeding revenues in its 990 filings (e.g., $21.7M expenses vs. $12.8M revenue in 2023), its substantial asset base (over $80M) provides a significant buffer. This suggests it can sustain operations in the short to medium term, but long-term sustainability will depend on reversing this trend or drawing from endowments.
How does the organization fund its operations if annual expenses exceed revenue?
The organization likely relies on its significant asset base, which includes endowments and investments, to cover operational shortfalls. It may also receive large, multi-year grants that are recognized differently than annual operating revenue, or it could be strategically drawing down reserves for specific projects.
What is the reason for 0% officer compensation reported across all filings?
This could indicate that the organization's officers are volunteers, or that their compensation is reported under different categories (e.g., as employees rather than officers) or through an affiliated entity. It's a positive sign for resource allocation if compensation is truly minimal or volunteer-based.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc's revenue has declined by 33.9%, moving from $19.4M to $12.8M. Total assets decreased by 13.6% over the same period, from $95.8M to $82.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 6.8%, from $20.4M to $21.8M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc reported a deficit of $9.0M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $8.3M in liabilities against $82.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 10.0%), resulting in net assets of $74.5M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $12.8M | $21.8M | $82.8M | $8.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $13.4M | $21.9M | $85.3M | $11.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $16.7M | $18.3M | $101.1M | $13.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $11.5M | $17.2M | $88.9M | $8.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $13.1M | $18.1M | $84.8M | $6.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $17.4M | $19.1M | $78.7M | $5.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $17.7M | $18.3M | $87.5M | $7.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $12.9M | $17.4M | $86.6M | $8.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $13.6M | $17.0M | $97.3M | $14.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $8.8M | $15.7M | $103.3M | $13.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $23.8M | $16.4M | $104.1M | $11.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $15.3M | $18.4M | $100.2M | $13.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $19.4M | $20.4M | $95.8M | $11.8M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $12.8M, expenses of $21.8M, and assets of $82.8M (revenue -4.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $13.4M, expenses of $21.9M, and assets of $85.3M (revenue -19.7% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $16.7M, expenses of $18.3M, and assets of $101.1M (revenue +45.2% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $11.5M, expenses of $17.2M, and assets of $88.9M (revenue -12.5% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $13.1M, expenses of $18.1M, and assets of $84.8M (revenue -24.5% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $17.4M, expenses of $19.1M, and assets of $78.7M (revenue -1.7% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $17.7M, expenses of $18.3M, and assets of $87.5M (revenue +37.6% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $12.9M, expenses of $17.4M, and assets of $86.6M (revenue -5.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $13.6M, expenses of $17.0M, and assets of $97.3M (revenue +53.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $8.8M, expenses of $15.7M, and assets of $103.3M (revenue -62.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $23.8M, expenses of $16.4M, and assets of $104.1M (revenue +55.4% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $15.3M, expenses of $18.4M, and assets of $100.2M (revenue -21.0% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $19.4M, expenses of $20.4M, and assets of $95.8M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Boyce Thompson Institute For Plant Research 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.