Charity Navigator

Charity Navigator experiences significant operating deficit in latest fiscal year despite strong asset base.

EIN: 134148824 · Boone, IA · NTEE: P19 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$8.5MRevenue

$8.9MAssets

85/100Mission Score (Excellent)

P19

About Charity Navigator

Charity Navigator (EIN: 134148824) is a nonprofit organization based in Boone, IA, classified under NTEE code P19. The organization reported total revenue of $8.5M and total assets of $8.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Charity Navigator's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

Charity Navigator demonstrates a mixed financial picture based on its recent IRS 990 filings. While the organization has shown significant revenue growth over the past decade, peaking at $14,269,364 in 2022, its expenses have also fluctuated considerably. The most recent filing (202306) shows expenses of $8,354,061 exceeding revenue of $4,237,155, indicating a substantial operating deficit for that period. This contrasts sharply with the prior year where revenue significantly outpaced expenses. The organization's assets have generally grown, reaching $9,521,081 in 2023, suggesting a solid financial base despite recent operational losses.

Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to provide a precise assessment. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a strong indicator of transparency and a commitment to minimizing overhead in this specific area. This practice suggests that executive leadership may be compensated through other means or that the organization operates with a volunteer-driven leadership model, which is highly commendable for a nonprofit.

Overall, Charity Navigator appears to be transparent in its executive compensation reporting. The significant swings in revenue and expenses, particularly the recent deficit, warrant closer examination to understand the underlying causes and the organization's strategy for long-term financial stability. Its growing asset base provides a buffer, but sustained operational deficits could pose future challenges.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Charity Navigator 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, Charity Navigator 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.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating a high level of transparency and a potential commitment to minimizing leadership overhead, which is commendable for an organization of its size with assets reaching over $9 million.

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 Charity Navigator's IRS 990 filings:

Significant operating deficit in the most recent fiscal year (202306), with expenses ($8,354,061) more than double revenue ($4,237,155).
High revenue volatility, with a drastic drop from $14,269,364 in 2022 to $4,237,155 in 2023.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Charity Navigator:

Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong transparency in this area.
Significant growth in assets over the past decade, from $2,552,851 in 2015 to $9,521,081 in 2023, providing a strong financial foundation.
Demonstrated ability to generate substantial revenue, as evidenced by the $14,269,364 reported in 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions about Charity Navigator

Why did expenses significantly exceed revenue in the 2023 fiscal year?

In the 202306 period, Charity Navigator reported revenues of $4,237,155 against expenses of $8,354,061, resulting in an operating deficit of over $4 million. This is a significant shift from the previous year's surplus and warrants further investigation into the specific drivers of this increase in expenses or decrease in revenue.

How does Charity Navigator sustain operations with 0% reported officer compensation?

The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests that either executive leadership is entirely volunteer-based, compensated through a related entity not reflected in this line item, or that compensation is categorized differently within the 990. This practice is unusual for an organization of its scale and asset base.

What is the long-term strategy for managing revenue volatility?

Charity Navigator's revenue has fluctuated significantly, from $14,269,364 in 2022 to $4,237,155 in 2023. Understanding the sources of this volatility and the organization's strategy to ensure consistent funding for its mission is crucial for assessing its financial sustainability.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Charity Navigator showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:

Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2023), Charity Navigator's revenue has grown by 218%, moving from $1.3M to $4.2M. Total assets increased by 294.2% over the same period, from $2.4M to $9.5M. Total functional expenses rose by 602%, from $1.2M to $8.4M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Charity Navigator reported a deficit of $4.1M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $743K in liabilities against $9.5M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 7.8%), resulting in net assets of $8.8M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$4.2M	$8.4M	$9.5M	$743K	—	View 990
2022	$14.3M	$7.0M	$11.8M	$797K	—	View 990
2021	$5.9M	$4.2M	$6.2M	$447K	—	View 990
2020	$4.1M	$3.8M	$4.3M	$611K	—	View 990
2019	$3.7M	$3.8M	$3.7M	$261K	—	View 990
2018	$3.9M	$3.5M	$3.8M	$300K	—	View 990
2017	$3.4M	$3.1M	$3.4M	$267K	—	View 990
2016	$1.6M	$1.3M	$2.8M	$125K	—	View 990
2015	$1.8M	$1.9M	$2.6M	$89K	—	View 990
2014	$1.8M	$1.7M	$2.9M	$131K	—	View 990
2013	$1.6M	$1.4M	$2.7M	$84K	—	View 990
2012	$1.3M	$1.2M	$2.4M	$64K	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $4.2M, expenses of $8.4M, and assets of $9.5M (revenue -70.3% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $14.3M, expenses of $7.0M, and assets of $11.8M (revenue +143.7% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $5.9M, expenses of $4.2M, and assets of $6.2M (revenue +42.6% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $4.1M, expenses of $3.8M, and assets of $4.3M (revenue +10.2% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $3.7M, expenses of $3.8M, and assets of $3.7M (revenue -4.8% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $3.9M, expenses of $3.5M, and assets of $3.8M (revenue +15.2% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $3.4M, expenses of $3.1M, and assets of $3.4M (revenue +112.9% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $2.8M (revenue -9.5% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $2.6M (revenue -2.5% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $2.9M (revenue +11.6% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $2.7M (revenue +21.6% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $2.4M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Charity Navigator 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.