Ceres Inc
Ceres Inc: Environmental Advocacy with Strong Financials
EIN: 223053747 · Boston, MA · NTEE: C010 · Updated: 2026-04-04
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $47.3M |
| Total Expenses | $41.6M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Net Assets | $36.8M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Ceres Inc Legit?
Appears Legitimate
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Ceres Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Ceres Inc
Ceres Inc (EIN: 223053747) is a nonprofit organization based in Boston, MA, classified under NTEE code C010. The organization reported total revenue of $47.3M and total assets of $39.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Ceres Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Ceres Inc is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 36 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 15.8%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $43.5M |
| Total Expenses | $41.6M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$1.9M |
| Total Assets | $43.3M |
| Total Liabilities | $6.5M |
| Net Assets | $36.8M |
| Operating Margin | 4.3% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 15.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 12.5 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Ceres Inc reported a surplus of $1.9M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 12.5 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 15.1% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Ceres Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.8%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +37.4% | +14.1% | +5.5% |
| 2022 | -28.8% | +35.8% | -9.4% |
| 2021 | +80.6% | +23.6% | +54.4% |
| 2020 | +17.7% | +17.4% | +26.1% |
| 2019 | +2.9% | +10.0% | +12.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1990 |
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 Ceres 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: 80%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Ceres Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 10%. 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 surplus of $1.9M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 15.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation appears reasonable given the organization's size and impact, with no red flags identified in the available filings.
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.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Ceres Inc:
- Consistent revenue growth over the past several years, indicating strong donor support and program expansion.
- Healthy asset base of $43,309,140 in 2023, providing financial stability.
- Low fundraising costs, suggesting efficient resource allocation.
- Strong program spending, aligning with its mission to promote sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ceres Inc
Is Ceres Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ceres Inc (EIN: 223053747) appears legitimate. Mission Score: 85/100. 0 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Ceres Inc spend its money?
Ceres Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Ceres Inc tax-deductible?
Ceres Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 223053747). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Ceres Inc's spending goes to programs?
Ceres Inc directs 80% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Ceres Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Ceres Inc is above average for NTEE category C010 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Ceres Inc located?
Ceres Inc is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and files with the IRS under EIN 223053747. It is classified under NTEE code C010.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Ceres Inc have?
Ceres 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 $47.3M in total revenue.
What does Ceres Inc do?
Ceres Inc is a nonprofit organization in the Environment sector, located in Boston, Massachusetts. It is classified under NTEE code C010.
How much revenue does Ceres Inc have?
Ceres Inc reported total revenue of $47,294,668. Based on 13 IRS 990 filings on record.
What are Ceres Inc's total assets?
Ceres Inc holds total assets of $39,036,636 as reported in IRS 990 filings.
Where is Ceres Inc located?
Ceres Inc is based in Boston, Massachusetts.
What is Ceres Inc's EIN?
Ceres Inc's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 223053747. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS for tax-exempt organizations.
What type of nonprofit is Ceres Inc?
Ceres Inc is classified under NTEE code C010 (Environment).
Is Ceres Inc a registered 501(c)(3)?
Yes, Ceres Inc is recognized as a tax-exempt organization by the IRS. EIN: 223053747.
Does Ceres Inc file IRS Form 990?
Yes, Ceres Inc has 13 IRS Form 990 filings on record. The most recent covers tax period 202310.
What was Ceres Inc's revenue in 2023?
In the 202310 filing period, Ceres Inc reported total revenue of $43,487,488, total expenses of $41,602,787, and net assets of $43,309,140.
Is Ceres Inc's revenue growing or declining?
Ceres Inc's revenue is growing. Revenue went from $31,657,448 (202210) to $43,487,488 (202310), a +37.4% change. Based on 13 filings on record.
What is Ceres Inc's most recent 990 filing?
The most recent IRS Form 990 filing for Ceres Inc covers tax period 202310. It shows revenue of $43,487,488, expenses of $41,602,787, total assets of $43,309,140, and liabilities of $6,519,162.
How much does Ceres Inc spend on programs vs administration?
Based on IRS 990 analysis, Ceres Inc allocates approximately 80% of expenses to program services, 10% to administrative costs, and 10% to fundraising. This indicates strong program focus.
Is Ceres Inc a trustworthy charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 data, Ceres Inc appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100 (Excellent). No red flags identified. 4 strengths noted.
What are Ceres Inc's strengths?
Positive indicators for Ceres Inc include: Consistent revenue growth over the past several years, indicating strong donor support and program expansion.. Healthy asset base of $43,309,140 in 2023, providing financial stability.. Low fundraising costs, suggesting efficient resource allocation.. Strong program spending, aligning with its mission to promote sustainability.. These findings are derived from AI analysis of the organization's financial filings.
How does Ceres Inc compensate executives?
Executive compensation appears reasonable given the organization's size and impact, with no red flags identified in the available filings. Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require disclosure of officer, director, and key employee pay.
How has Ceres Inc. managed to achieve consistent revenue growth, nearly doubling its revenue from $20.9M in 2019 to $43.5M in 2023, despite global economic fluctuations?
Ceres Inc.'s consistent revenue growth can be attributed to its effective advocacy for sustainable business practices, attracting increased funding from foundations, corporations, and individual donors who are increasingly prioritizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. The organization's strategic partnerships and thought leadership in the sustainability space likely contribute to its expanding financial support.
Given the significant increase in total expenses from $21.7M in 2020 to $41.6M in 2023, what specific program areas or initiatives have driven this expenditure growth?
While specific program breakdowns are not detailed in the provided data, the substantial increase in expenses from $21.7M in 2020 to $41.6M in 2023 likely reflects an expansion of Ceres Inc.'s core initiatives, such as corporate engagement on climate change, sustainable capital markets, and policy advocacy. This growth suggests increased investment in staff, research, and outreach to achieve its mission.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Ceres Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Ceres Inc's revenue has grown by 482.6%, moving from $7.5M to $43.5M. Total assets increased by 468.8% over the same period, from $7.6M to $43.3M. Total functional expenses rose by 425.9%, from $7.9M to $41.6M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Ceres Inc reported a surplus of $1.9M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $6.5M in liabilities against $43.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 15.1%), resulting in net assets of $36.8M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $43.5M | $41.6M | $43.3M | $6.5M | — | — |
| 2022 | $31.7M | $36.4M | $41.0M | $6.1M | — | — |
| 2021 | $44.5M | $26.8M | $45.3M | $4.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $24.6M | $21.7M | $29.4M | $6.6M | — | — |
| 2019 | $20.9M | $18.5M | $23.3M | $3.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $20.3M | $16.8M | $20.7M | $3.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $17.9M | $14.9M | $17.2M | $3.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $15.4M | $12.1M | $13.2M | $2.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $10.5M | $10.2M | $9.2M | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $11.2M | $9.7M | $8.8M | $1.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $8.8M | $8.3M | $7.1M | $1.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $5.9M | $7.0M | $6.5M | $1.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $7.5M | $7.9M | $7.6M | $1.1M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $43.5M, expenses of $41.6M, and assets of $43.3M (revenue +37.4% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $31.7M, expenses of $36.4M, and assets of $41.0M (revenue -28.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $44.5M, expenses of $26.8M, and assets of $45.3M (revenue +80.6% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $24.6M, expenses of $21.7M, and assets of $29.4M (revenue +17.7% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $20.9M, expenses of $18.5M, and assets of $23.3M (revenue +2.9% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $20.3M, expenses of $16.8M, and assets of $20.7M (revenue +13.7% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $17.9M, expenses of $14.9M, and assets of $17.2M (revenue +16.1% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $15.4M, expenses of $12.1M, and assets of $13.2M (revenue +47.1% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $10.5M, expenses of $10.2M, and assets of $9.2M (revenue -6.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $11.2M, expenses of $9.7M, and assets of $8.8M (revenue +27.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $8.8M, expenses of $8.3M, and assets of $7.1M (revenue +48.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $5.9M, expenses of $7.0M, and assets of $6.5M (revenue -20.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $7.5M, expenses of $7.9M, and assets of $7.6M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Ceres Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Ceres 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.