Center For Automotive Research
Center For Automotive Research consistently operates at a deficit, with expenses exceeding revenue in most recent years.
EIN: 10779978 · Ann Arbor, MI · NTEE: U05 · Updated: 2026-03-27
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $2.7M |
| Total Expenses | $3.5M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $2 |
| Net Assets | $-399,305 |
| Transparency Score | 65/100 |
Is Center For Automotive Research Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Center For Automotive Research directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Center For Automotive Research
Center For Automotive Research (EIN: 10779978) is a nonprofit organization based in Ann Arbor, MI, classified under NTEE code U05. The organization reported total revenue of $2.7M and total assets of $2.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Center For Automotive Research's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Center For Automotive Research is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 22 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2023). 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 | $3.2M |
| Total Expenses | $3.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-239,655 |
| Total Assets | $1.9M |
| Total Liabilities | $2.3M |
| Net Assets | $-399,305 |
| Operating Margin | -7.4% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 120.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 6.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, Center For Automotive Research reported a deficit of $240K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 6.6 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 120.9% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2012–2023), Center For Automotive Research's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +20.8% | +11.5% | -16.2% |
| 2022 | -8.3% | -2.3% | +149.9% |
| 2021 | +6.1% | -7.0% | +11.6% |
| 2020 | -31.9% | -20.0% | -33.1% |
| 2019 | +7.2% | +16.8% | -16.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2004 |
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 Center For Automotive Research 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, Center For Automotive Research 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 (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $240K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 120.9%.
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 revenues exceeding $2 million annually.
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 Center For Automotive Research's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operational deficits, with expenses exceeding revenue in most recent years (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019).
- Liabilities exceeding assets in the most recent filing ($2,307,779 liabilities vs. $1,908,474 assets in 2023).
- Significant fluctuation and recent decrease in assets from $2,277,311 in 2022 to $1,908,474 in 2023.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Center For Automotive Research:
- Reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating low executive overhead.
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), suggesting consistent compliance and transparency in reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions about Center For Automotive Research
Is Center For Automotive Research a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Center For Automotive Research (EIN: 10779978) some concerns. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
How does Center For Automotive Research spend its money?
Center For Automotive Research directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Center For Automotive Research tax-deductible?
Center For Automotive Research is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 10779978). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Center For Automotive Research CEO make?
Center For Automotive Research's highest-compensated officer earns $2 annually. The organization reported $2.7M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Center For Automotive Research's spending goes to programs?
Center For Automotive Research directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Center For Automotive Research compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 65/100 (Good), Center For Automotive Research is above average for NTEE category U05 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Center For Automotive Research located?
Center For Automotive Research is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan and files with the IRS under EIN 10779978. It is classified under NTEE code U05.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Center For Automotive Research have?
Center For Automotive Research 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 $2.7M in total revenue.
Is Center For Automotive Research financially sustainable given its recurring deficits?
The organization has consistently reported expenses exceeding revenue in recent years (e.g., $3,486,300 expenses vs. $3,246,645 revenue in 2023), raising concerns about its long-term financial sustainability without addressing the operational deficits.
How does Center For Automotive Research cover its operational deficits?
The consistent deficits suggest the organization is either drawing down on its assets or relying on other unspecified funding sources to cover the gap between its revenue and expenses.
What is the reason for 0% officer compensation?
The filings consistently show 0% officer compensation, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size and could indicate that officers are compensated through other entities or volunteer their time, or that the compensation is reported differently.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Center For Automotive Research showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2023), Center For Automotive Research's revenue has declined by 26.4%, moving from $4.4M to $3.2M. Total assets increased by 53.2% over the same period, from $1.2M to $1.9M. Total functional expenses fell by 24.9%, from $4.6M to $3.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Center For Automotive Research reported a deficit of $240K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $2.3M in liabilities against $1.9M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 120.9%), resulting in net assets of $-399,305.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.2M | $3.5M | $1.9M | $2.3M | — | — |
| 2022 | $2.7M | $3.1M | $2.3M | $2.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $2.9M | $3.2M | $911K | $633K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.8M | $3.4M | $816K | $633K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $4.1M | $4.3M | $1.2M | $739K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $3.8M | $3.7M | $1.5M | $732K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $4.5M | $4.7M | $1.5M | $859K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $4.4M | $4.8M | $1.7M | $831K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $5.2M | $5.2M | $2.1M | $901K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $5.4M | $5.1M | $2.3M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $4.8M | $4.7M | $1.7M | $843K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $5.2M | $4.4M | $1.4M | $765K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $4.4M | $4.6M | $1.2M | $1.3M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $3.5M, and assets of $1.9M (revenue +20.8% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $3.1M, and assets of $2.3M (revenue -8.3% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $2.9M, expenses of $3.2M, and assets of $911K (revenue +6.1% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.8M, expenses of $3.4M, and assets of $816K (revenue -31.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $4.1M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $1.2M (revenue +7.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $3.8M, expenses of $3.7M, and assets of $1.5M (revenue -16.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $4.5M, expenses of $4.7M, and assets of $1.5M (revenue +2.0% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $4.4M, expenses of $4.8M, and assets of $1.7M (revenue -15.5% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $5.2M, expenses of $5.2M, and assets of $2.1M (revenue -2.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $5.4M, expenses of $5.1M, and assets of $2.3M (revenue +11.7% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $4.8M, expenses of $4.7M, and assets of $1.7M (revenue -6.5% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $5.2M, expenses of $4.4M, and assets of $1.4M (revenue +17.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $4.4M, expenses of $4.6M, and assets of $1.2M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Center For Automotive Research:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Center For Automotive Research 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.