Challenge Industries Inc
Challenge Industries Inc maintains stable finances with no reported officer compensation, despite fluctuating revenues.
EIN: 160956917 · Ithaca, NY · NTEE: J33Z · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $7.0M |
| Total Expenses | $3.4M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| Net Assets | $2.4M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Search Intent Cockpit
Challenge Industries Inc Form 990, Revenue, CEO Pay, and IRS Filing Signals
Challenge Industries 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 Challenge Industries Inc in one place.
Form 990 Filing Summary
13 filing years are available, with latest revenue of $3.4M and expenses of $3.4M.
Revenue and Expenses
Challenge Industries Inc reported $3.4M in revenue and $3.4M in expenses, a surplus of $4K.
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 Challenge Industries Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
IRS 990 Data Cockpit
Where the Money Comes From and Where It Goes
Revenue Source Mix
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 | $2.9M (85%) |
Across stored filings, Challenge Industries Inc shows contribution history pending. Next enrichment targets: revenue-source fields, IRS BMF classification.
Decision Cockpit
One-Stop Donor, Research, and Peer Context Hub
| 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 A | 13 stored filing years |
| Peer context | Compare with Healthy Capital District Initiative | New York and Category J context |
Trust Check
Review legitimacy, deductibility, red flags, and filing consistency.
Open charity check →Peer Benchmark
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All Category J
Local and Sector Spokes
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Ithaca, NY nonprofitsCategory J in New York
Human Services in New York
Follow the Money
Jump into spending, compensation, rankings, and filing-year evidence.
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Keep the Investigation Moving
Challenge Industries Inc directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Challenge Industries Inc
Challenge Industries Inc (EIN: 160956917) is a nonprofit organization based in Ithaca, NY, classified under NTEE code J33Z. The organization reported total revenue of $7.0M and total assets of $4.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Challenge Industries Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Challenge Industries Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 58 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -4.4%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $3.4M |
| Total Expenses | $3.4M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$4K |
| Total Assets | $4.1M |
| Total Liabilities | $1.7M |
| Net Assets | $2.4M |
| Operating Margin | 0.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 40.8% |
| Months of Reserves | 14.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Challenge Industries Inc reported a surplus of $4K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 14.6 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 40.8% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Challenge Industries Inc's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.4%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -24.0% | +9.3% | -1.5% |
| 2022 | +14.8% | -7.7% | +40.6% |
| 2021 | -12.8% | -24.9% | +28.2% |
| 2020 | -18.4% | -17.6% | +1.9% |
| 2019 | -9.5% | -11.1% | -0.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1200 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1968 |
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 Challenge Industries 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, Challenge Industries 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 surplus of $4K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 40.8%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no compensation is paid to officers, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size and suggests either a volunteer leadership structure or that compensation is reported under other categories, warranting further investigation for full transparency.
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 Challenge Industries Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Unusually low (0%) reported officer compensation across all filings, which may indicate compensation is reported elsewhere or a highly unusual volunteer leadership structure for an organization of this size, potentially obscuring full compensation transparency.
- Significant fluctuation and overall decline in revenue from $6,771,335 in 2014 to $3,379,536 in 2023, which could impact long-term sustainability if not addressed.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Challenge Industries Inc:
- Consistent financial stability with assets generally exceeding liabilities, for example, $4,102,027 in assets vs. $1,675,678 in liabilities in 2023.
- Expenses consistently managed close to revenue, indicating responsible budgeting and operational efficiency (e.g., $3,375,161 expenses vs. $3,379,536 revenue in 2023).
- Growth in assets from $2,269,595 in 2019 to $4,102,027 in 2023, demonstrating an increase in financial reserves.
- No reported officer compensation, suggesting a strong commitment to directing funds towards the mission rather than executive salaries, assuming compensation is not hidden in other categories.
Frequently Asked Questions about Challenge Industries Inc
Is Challenge Industries Inc a legitimate charity?
Challenge Industries Inc (EIN: 160956917) 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: $7.0M. 2 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does Challenge Industries Inc spend its money?
Challenge Industries Inc directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Challenge Industries Inc tax-deductible?
Challenge Industries Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 160956917). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Challenge Industries Inc's spending goes to programs?
Challenge Industries Inc directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Challenge Industries Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Challenge Industries Inc is above average for NTEE category J33Z nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Challenge Industries Inc located?
Challenge Industries Inc is headquartered in Ithaca, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 160956917. It is classified under NTEE code J33Z.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Challenge Industries Inc have?
Challenge Industries 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 $7.0M in total revenue.
Is Challenge Industries Inc a good charity?
Based on the provided data, Challenge Industries Inc appears to be a financially stable organization with a strong commitment to minimizing executive compensation, as evidenced by 0% officer compensation reported across all filings. Its asset growth and consistent management of expenses near revenue suggest responsible financial stewardship. However, without detailed breakdowns of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a complete assessment of its programmatic efficiency is challenging.
How has Challenge Industries Inc's revenue trended over the past decade?
Challenge Industries Inc's revenue has seen a downward trend from a peak of $6,771,335 in 2014 to $3,379,536 in 2023, with some fluctuations in between. For example, revenue was $6,021,191 in 2018 and $4,448,766 in 2022.
What is the organization's asset-to-liability ratio?
In 2023, Challenge Industries Inc had assets of $4,102,027 and liabilities of $1,675,678, resulting in an asset-to-liability ratio of approximately 2.45:1, indicating a healthy financial position where assets significantly exceed liabilities.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Challenge Industries Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Challenge Industries Inc's revenue has declined by 41.6%, moving from $5.8M to $3.4M. Total assets increased by 40.9% over the same period, from $2.9M to $4.1M. Total functional expenses fell by 46.4%, from $6.3M to $3.4M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Challenge Industries Inc reported a surplus of $4K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $1.7M in liabilities against $4.1M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 40.8%), resulting in net assets of $2.4M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.4M | $3.4M | $4.1M | $1.7M | — | — |
| 2022 | $4.4M | $3.1M | $4.2M | $1.7M | — | — |
| 2021 | $3.9M | $3.3M | $3.0M | $2.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $4.4M | $4.5M | $2.3M | $2.2M | — | — |
| 2019 | $5.4M | $5.4M | $2.3M | $2.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $6.0M | $6.1M | $2.3M | $2.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $5.9M | $6.0M | $2.5M | $2.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $6.3M | $6.7M | $2.9M | $2.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $6.3M | $7.3M | $3.8M | $2.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $6.8M | $7.4M | $5.5M | $3.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $6.8M | $6.9M | $6.2M | $3.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $7.0M | $6.6M | $3.5M | $652K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $5.8M | $6.3M | $2.9M | $571K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $3.4M, expenses of $3.4M, and assets of $4.1M (revenue -24.0% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $4.4M, expenses of $3.1M, and assets of $4.2M (revenue +14.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $3.9M, expenses of $3.3M, and assets of $3.0M (revenue -12.8% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $4.4M, expenses of $4.5M, and assets of $2.3M (revenue -18.4% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $5.4M, expenses of $5.4M, and assets of $2.3M (revenue -9.5% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $6.0M, expenses of $6.1M, and assets of $2.3M (revenue +2.7% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $5.9M, expenses of $6.0M, and assets of $2.5M (revenue -6.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $6.3M, expenses of $6.7M, and assets of $2.9M (revenue +0.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $6.3M, expenses of $7.3M, and assets of $3.8M (revenue -7.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $6.8M, expenses of $7.4M, and assets of $5.5M (revenue -0.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $6.8M, expenses of $6.9M, and assets of $6.2M (revenue -3.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $7.0M, expenses of $6.6M, and assets of $3.5M (revenue +21.1% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $5.8M, expenses of $6.3M, and assets of $2.9M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Challenge Industries Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Challenge Industries 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.