Center For Inquiry Inc
Center For Inquiry Inc: Declining Revenue and High Administrative Costs Raise Concerns
EIN: 222306795 · Amherst, NY · NTEE: A70 · Updated: 2026-04-04
Is Center For Inquiry Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Center For Inquiry Inc directs 60% of its spending to programs. This falls below the 65% benchmark. Donors may want to investigate further.
About Center For Inquiry Inc
Center For Inquiry Inc (EIN: 222306795) is a nonprofit organization based in Amherst, NY, classified under NTEE code A70. The organization reported total revenue of $7.3M and total assets of $6.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Center For Inquiry Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Center For Inquiry Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 25 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 7.3%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $5.4M |
| Total Expenses | $6.1M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-683,127 |
| Total Assets | $5.6M |
| Total Liabilities | $1.6M |
| Net Assets | $4.0M |
| Operating Margin | -12.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 28.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 10.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Center For Inquiry Inc reported a deficit of $683K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 10.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 28.0% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Center For Inquiry Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -2.2% | +3.5% | -29.4% |
| 2022 | -34.8% | +17.7% | -7.3% |
| 2021 | +42.6% | +14.1% | +5.5% |
| 2020 | -5.6% | -4.6% | +14.5% |
| 2019 | +7.5% | -7.4% | +20.8% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2001 |
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 Inquiry 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: 25%
- programs: 60%
- fundraising: 15%
According to IRS 990 filings, Center For Inquiry Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 25%, programs: 60%, fundraising: 15%. Approximately 60% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $683K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 28.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The filings indicate 0% compensation for the highest paid executives, which is unusual and warrants a deeper look into how executive leadership is compensated, as this figure may not reflect total benefits or other forms of remuneration.
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 Inquiry Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits, with expenses exceeding revenue in multiple recent years (e.g., 2023: $6,126,775 expenses vs. $5,443,648 revenue).
- Significant and sustained decline in revenue over the past several years, from $10,870,343 in 2017 to $5,443,648 in 2023.
- The reported 0% executive compensation is a red flag, suggesting a lack of transparency or an unusual compensation model that needs clarification.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Center For Inquiry Inc:
- Maintains a relatively stable liability level, around $1.5M-$1.9M, despite revenue fluctuations.
- Historically managed significant assets, though these have also seen a decline in recent years.
Frequently Asked Questions about Center For Inquiry Inc
Is Center For Inquiry Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Center For Inquiry Inc (EIN: 222306795) some concerns. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
How does Center For Inquiry Inc spend its money?
Center For Inquiry Inc directs 60% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Center For Inquiry Inc tax-deductible?
Center For Inquiry Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 222306795). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What does Center For Inquiry Inc do?
Center For Inquiry Inc is a nonprofit organization in the Arts, Culture & Humanities sector, located in Amherst, New York. It is classified under NTEE code A70.
How much revenue does Center For Inquiry Inc have?
Center For Inquiry Inc reported total revenue of $7,256,161. Based on 13 IRS 990 filings on record.
What are Center For Inquiry Inc's total assets?
Center For Inquiry Inc holds total assets of $6,706,828 as reported in IRS 990 filings.
Where is Center For Inquiry Inc located?
Center For Inquiry Inc is based in Amherst, New York.
What is Center For Inquiry Inc's EIN?
Center For Inquiry Inc's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 222306795. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS for tax-exempt organizations.
What type of nonprofit is Center For Inquiry Inc?
Center For Inquiry Inc is classified under NTEE code A70 (Arts, Culture & Humanities).
Is Center For Inquiry Inc a registered 501(c)(3)?
Yes, Center For Inquiry Inc is recognized as a tax-exempt organization by the IRS. EIN: 222306795.
Does Center For Inquiry Inc file IRS Form 990?
Yes, Center For Inquiry Inc has 13 IRS Form 990 filings on record. The most recent covers tax period 202312.
What was Center For Inquiry Inc's revenue in 2023?
In the 202312 filing period, Center For Inquiry Inc reported total revenue of $5,443,648, total expenses of $6,126,775, and net assets of $5,588,342.
Is Center For Inquiry Inc's revenue growing or declining?
Center For Inquiry Inc's revenue is relatively stable. Revenue went from $5,567,888 (202212) to $5,443,648 (202312), a -2.2% change. Based on 13 filings on record.
What is Center For Inquiry Inc's most recent 990 filing?
The most recent IRS Form 990 filing for Center For Inquiry Inc covers tax period 202312. It shows revenue of $5,443,648, expenses of $6,126,775, total assets of $5,588,342, and liabilities of $1,564,079.
How much does Center For Inquiry Inc spend on programs vs administration?
Based on IRS 990 analysis, Center For Inquiry Inc allocates approximately 60% of expenses to program services, 25% to administrative costs, and 15% to fundraising. Program spending is moderate relative to overhead.
Is Center For Inquiry Inc a trustworthy charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 data, Center For Inquiry Inc shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100 (Good). 3 red flags identified. 2 strengths noted.
What are the red flags for Center For Inquiry Inc?
The following concerns were identified: Consistent operating deficits, with expenses exceeding revenue in multiple recent years (e.g., 2023: $6,126,775 expenses vs. $5,443,648 revenue).. Significant and sustained decline in revenue over the past several years, from $10,870,343 in 2017 to $5,443,648 in 2023.. The reported 0% executive compensation is a red flag, suggesting a lack of transparency or an unusual compensation model that needs clarification.. These flags are based on automated analysis of IRS 990 public filings and should be verified independently.
What are Center For Inquiry Inc's strengths?
Positive indicators for Center For Inquiry Inc include: Maintains a relatively stable liability level, around $1.5M-$1.9M, despite revenue fluctuations.. Historically managed significant assets, though these have also seen a decline in recent years.. These findings are derived from AI analysis of the organization's financial filings.
How does Center For Inquiry Inc compensate executives?
The filings indicate 0% compensation for the highest paid executives, which is unusual and warrants a deeper look into how executive leadership is compensated, as this figure may not reflect total benefits or other forms of remuneration. Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require disclosure of officer, director, and key employee pay.
Given the reported 0% executive compensation, how does the Center For Inquiry Inc attract and retain leadership, and what is the true cost of executive management to the organization?
The reported 0% compensation for executives is highly unusual and suggests that executive leadership may be compensated through non-salary means, such as benefits, stipends, or through an affiliated entity, which would not be reflected in this specific filing line item. A full understanding requires reviewing other sections of their IRS Form 990 or other financial disclosures.
What strategic initiatives are being implemented to address the consistent decline in revenue and the recurring operating deficits?
The sustained decline in revenue and consistent operating deficits indicate a need for a revised financial strategy. Without further information on their operational plans, it's unclear how the organization plans to reverse these trends and ensure long-term financial stability.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Center For Inquiry Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Center For Inquiry Inc's revenue has grown by 132.1%, moving from $2.3M to $5.4M. Total assets increased by 230.2% over the same period, from $1.7M to $5.6M. Total functional expenses rose by 188.3%, from $2.1M to $6.1M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Center For Inquiry Inc reported a deficit of $683K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1.6M in liabilities against $5.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 28.0%), resulting in net assets of $4.0M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $5.4M | $6.1M | $5.6M | $1.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $5.6M | $5.9M | $7.9M | $1.6M | — | — |
| 2021 | $8.5M | $5.0M | $8.5M | $1.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $6.0M | $4.4M | $8.1M | $1.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $6.3M | $4.6M | $7.1M | $1.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $5.9M | $5.0M | $5.9M | $1.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $10.9M | $4.8M | $10.6M | $1.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $4.5M | $5.1M | $5.3M | $2.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $5.1M | $5.3M | $4.4M | $2.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $4.2M | $3.7M | $1.7M | $996K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $2.4M | $2.4M | $991K | $746K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $2.0M | $2.6M | $1.0M | $846K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $2.3M | $2.1M | $1.7M | $871K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $5.4M, expenses of $6.1M, and assets of $5.6M (revenue -2.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $5.6M, expenses of $5.9M, and assets of $7.9M (revenue -34.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $8.5M, expenses of $5.0M, and assets of $8.5M (revenue +42.6% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $6.0M, expenses of $4.4M, and assets of $8.1M (revenue -5.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $6.3M, expenses of $4.6M, and assets of $7.1M (revenue +7.5% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $5.9M, expenses of $5.0M, and assets of $5.9M (revenue -45.7% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $10.9M, expenses of $4.8M, and assets of $10.6M (revenue +143.7% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $4.5M, expenses of $5.1M, and assets of $5.3M (revenue -13.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $5.1M, expenses of $5.3M, and assets of $4.4M (revenue +22.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $4.2M, expenses of $3.7M, and assets of $1.7M (revenue +71.4% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $2.4M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $991K (revenue +22.6% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $1.0M (revenue -14.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $1.7M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Center For Inquiry 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.