Climate Registry
Climate Registry reports significant deficit in latest fiscal year despite historical financial stability.
EIN: 208728170 · Los Angeles, CA · NTEE: C30 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Climate Registry Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Climate Registry directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Climate Registry
Climate Registry (EIN: 208728170) is a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, CA, classified under NTEE code C30. The organization reported total revenue of $2.5M and total assets of $1.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Climate Registry's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Climate Registry is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 19 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -0.4%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $2.2M |
| Total Expenses | $3.3M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-1,148,861 |
| Total Assets | $2.2M |
| Total Liabilities | $1.2M |
| Net Assets | $948K |
| Operating Margin | -53.3% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 56.5% |
| Months of Reserves | 7.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, Climate Registry reported a deficit of $1.1M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 7.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 56.5% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Climate Registry's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.4%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +6.0% | +131.9% | -24.2% |
| 2022 | +20.8% | +5.8% | +49.1% |
| 2021 | -15.3% | -19.7% | +32.2% |
| 2020 | +4.1% | +17.0% | +23.5% |
| 2019 | +11.3% | +6.5% | +51.7% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2100 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2007 |
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 Climate Registry with a Mission Score of 75 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: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Climate Registry allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. 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 deficit of $1.1M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 56.5%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Climate Registry consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries or benefits are paid to officers, which is highly unusual and suggests a volunteer-led executive structure or that compensation is reported under other categories, warranting further investigation.
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 Climate Registry's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant deficit in the latest fiscal year (202312) with expenses ($3,305,008) far exceeding revenue ($2,156,147).
- Increase in liabilities from $777,321 in 2022 to $1,229,595 in 2023.
- Unusually consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, which may obscure how executive leadership is compensated or structured.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Climate Registry:
- Consistent history of IRS 990 filings, indicating transparency.
- Generally strong asset growth over the past decade, from $703,867 in 2014 to $2,177,220 in 2023.
- Historically, revenues have often exceeded expenses, demonstrating sound financial management in most periods.
- Long operational history with 13 filings available.
Frequently Asked Questions about Climate Registry
Is Climate Registry a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Climate Registry (EIN: 208728170) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Climate Registry spend its money?
Climate Registry directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Climate Registry tax-deductible?
Climate Registry is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 208728170). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What caused the significant increase in expenses and the resulting deficit in the 2023 fiscal year?
The 202312 filing shows expenses of $3,305,008 against revenues of $2,156,147, a substantial increase from previous years' expense levels (e.g., $1,425,121 in 202212). The specific reasons for this surge are not detailed in the provided summary data and would require reviewing the full 990 form.
How does The Climate Registry manage to operate with 0% reported officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all 13 filings is highly unusual for an organization of this size and revenue. It suggests either a fully volunteer executive leadership, or that executive compensation is categorized differently within the 990, such as under 'other salaries and wages' or through a related organization, which would require further investigation of the full 990 forms.
What is the organization's plan to address the recent deficit and rebuild its financial reserves?
The 202312 filing shows a decrease in assets from $2,873,807 to $2,177,220 and an increase in liabilities from $777,321 to $1,229,595. The summary data does not provide details on the organization's strategy to recover from this financial setback.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Climate Registry showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Climate Registry's revenue has declined by 5%, moving from $2.3M to $2.2M. Total assets increased by 369.8% over the same period, from $463K to $2.2M. Total functional expenses rose by 60.8%, from $2.1M to $3.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Climate Registry reported a deficit of $1.1M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1.2M in liabilities against $2.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 56.5%), resulting in net assets of $948K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.2M | $3.3M | $2.2M | $1.2M | — | — |
| 2022 | $2.0M | $1.4M | $2.9M | $777K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.7M | $1.3M | $1.9M | $548K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.0M | $1.7M | $1.5M | $415K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.9M | $1.4M | $1.2M | $450K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.7M | $1.3M | $778K | $524K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $1.4M | $1.6M | $467K | $591K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $1.9M | $1.9M | $687K | $668K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.9M | $1.7M | $729K | $672K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.8M | $1.6M | $704K | $798K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.8M | $1.6M | $453K | $689K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.9M | $2.1M | $311K | $719K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $2.3M | $2.1M | $463K | $609K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $3.3M, and assets of $2.2M (revenue +6.0% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $2.9M (revenue +20.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $1.9M (revenue -15.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $1.5M (revenue +4.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $1.2M (revenue +11.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $778K (revenue +20.2% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $467K (revenue -23.3% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $687K (revenue -1.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $729K (revenue +5.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $704K (revenue +1.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $453K (revenue -6.6% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $311K (revenue -16.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $463K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Climate Registry:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Climate Registry 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.