Charleston Defense Contractors Association

Charleston Defense Contractors Association maintains strong assets and zero officer compensation, with expenses nearly matching revenue in 2023.

EIN: 20654518 · Mount Pleasant, SC · NTEE: S41 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$1.2MRevenue

$2.1MAssets

90/100Mission Score (Excellent)

S41

About Charleston Defense Contractors Association

Charleston Defense Contractors Association (EIN: 20654518) is a nonprofit organization based in Mount Pleasant, SC, classified under NTEE code S41. The organization reported total revenue of $1.2M and total assets of $2.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Charleston Defense Contractors Association's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA) demonstrates a generally stable financial position with consistent revenue streams, averaging over $1 million in recent years. Their asset base has shown healthy growth, reaching $2,189,568 in 2023, indicating good financial stewardship and accumulation of resources. The organization consistently reports zero liabilities in most recent filings, which is a strong indicator of financial health and low risk.

Spending efficiency appears to be strong, particularly in 2021 and 2022 where expenses were significantly lower than revenue, allowing for asset growth. For instance, in 2022, expenses were $961,889 against revenues of $1,342,132. However, the 2023 filing shows expenses ($1,336,025) nearly matching revenue ($1,321,825), suggesting a year of higher operational spending or program delivery. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a significant positive for transparency and efficiency, indicating that leadership is likely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which reduces overhead.

The organization's transparency is excellent regarding executive compensation, as no officer compensation is reported. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods further demonstrates a commitment to public accountability. The absence of liabilities in most years also simplifies their financial structure, making it easier to understand their financial commitments. Overall, CDCA appears to be a financially sound and transparent organization.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Charleston Defense Contractors Association with a Mission Score of 90 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, Charleston Defense Contractors Association 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.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that the organization's leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated through mechanisms not categorized as officer compensation, which is highly efficient for an organization with over $1 million in annual revenue.

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 Charleston Defense Contractors Association:

Consistent asset growth, reaching $2,189,568 in 2023, demonstrating strong financial management.
Zero reported liabilities in most recent filings, indicating excellent financial stability and low risk.
0% officer compensation across all filings, highlighting exceptional efficiency and potentially volunteer-driven leadership.
Strong revenue generation, consistently over $1 million in recent years, supporting its mission.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), indicating a commitment to transparency and compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions about Charleston Defense Contractors Association

How does CDCA manage to operate with 0% reported officer compensation?

The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests that key leadership roles may be filled by volunteers, or compensation is structured in a way that it is not classified as 'officer compensation' on the Form 990, potentially through contractor fees or other expense categories. This is a highly efficient model for a nonprofit of its size.

What caused the significant increase in expenses in 2023 compared to 2022?

In 2023, expenses were $1,336,025, a substantial increase from $961,889 in 2022. This could indicate increased program delivery, larger events, or investments in organizational capacity. A detailed look at the 990's Part IX (Statement of Functional Expenses) would clarify the specific areas of increased spending.

What is the primary source of CDCA's revenue?

While the provided data shows total revenue, the NTEE code S41 (Business & Professional Associations) suggests that membership dues, conference fees, or sponsorships are likely significant contributors to their consistent revenue streams, which have often exceeded $1 million annually.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Charleston Defense Contractors Association showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:

Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Charleston Defense Contractors Association's revenue has grown by 69.6%, moving from $780K to $1.3M. Total assets increased by 294.8% over the same period, from $555K to $2.2M. Total functional expenses rose by 123.9%, from $597K to $1.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Charleston Defense Contractors Association reported a deficit of $14K, with expenses exceeding revenue.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$1.3M	$1.3M	$2.2M	$0	—	View 990
2022	$1.3M	$962K	$2.2M	$0	—	View 990
2021	$1.1M	$301K	$1.8M	$0	—	View 990
2020	$373K	$660K	$1.0M	$12K	—	—
2019	$1.0M	$847K	$1.3M	$0	—	View 990
2018	$1.1M	$858K	$1.1M	$0	—	View 990
2017	$926K	$1.1M	$913K	$0	—	View 990
2016	$893K	$833K	$1.0M	$0	—	View 990
2015	$854K	$433K	$981K	$0	—	View 990
2014	$805K	$666K	$560K	$0	—	View 990
2013	$774K	$1.0M	$420K	$0	—	View 990
2012	$795K	$684K	$666K	$0	—	View 990
2011	$780K	$597K	$555K	$0	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $2.2M (revenue -1.5% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $962K, and assets of $2.2M (revenue +23.3% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $301K, and assets of $1.8M (revenue +192.2% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $373K, expenses of $660K, and assets of $1.0M (revenue -64.4% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $847K, and assets of $1.3M (revenue -1.7% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $858K, and assets of $1.1M (revenue +15.2% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $926K, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $913K (revenue +3.7% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $893K, expenses of $833K, and assets of $1.0M (revenue +4.5% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $854K, expenses of $433K, and assets of $981K (revenue +6.1% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $805K, expenses of $666K, and assets of $560K (revenue +4.0% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $774K, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $420K (revenue -2.6% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $795K, expenses of $684K, and assets of $666K (revenue +2.0% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $780K, expenses of $597K, and assets of $555K.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Charleston Defense Contractors Association 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.