Colorofchange Org
Colorofchange Org reports significant deficit spending in 2023 despite substantial asset base and zero officer compensation.
EIN: 204496889 · Oakland, CA · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Colorofchange Org Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Colorofchange Org directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Colorofchange Org
Colorofchange Org (EIN: 204496889) is a nonprofit organization based in Oakland, CA. The organization reported total revenue of $6.1M and total assets of $28.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Colorofchange Org's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Colorofchange Org is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 20 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2010–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 17.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $4.0M |
| Total Expenses | $11.6M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-7,577,230 |
| Total Assets | $24.1M |
| Total Liabilities | $6.6M |
| Net Assets | $17.5M |
| Operating Margin | -188.3% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 27.2% |
| Months of Reserves | 24.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Colorofchange Org reported a deficit of $7.6M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 24.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 27.2% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2010–2023), Colorofchange Org's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -78.9% | +1.1% | -19.9% |
| 2021 | -6.8% | +126.9% | +33.1% |
| 2020 | +307.9% | -11.8% | +259.9% |
| 2019 | -38.6% | +18.3% | -8.5% |
| 2018 | +163.4% | +73.7% | +111.7% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2006 |
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 Colorofchange Org 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: 10%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Colorofchange Org 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 deficit of $7.6M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 27.2%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating a strong commitment to directing funds towards the organization's mission rather than executive salaries, which is highly commendable for an organization with assets exceeding $24 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 Colorofchange Org's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant operational deficit in the most recent filing (202306), with expenses ($11,601,195) far exceeding revenue ($4,023,965).
- Substantial increase in liabilities from $1,395,112 in 2021 to $6,557,554 in 2023, indicating potential financial obligations.
- Highly volatile revenue streams over the past few years, making financial planning and stability challenging.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Colorofchange Org:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, demonstrating a strong commitment to mission-focused spending.
- Significant growth in assets over time, reaching $24,067,275 in 2023, providing a strong financial foundation.
- Demonstrated ability to raise substantial revenue in peak years, such as $20,468,047 in 2020 and $19,073,950 in 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions about Colorofchange Org
Is Colorofchange Org a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Colorofchange Org (EIN: 204496889) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Colorofchange Org spend its money?
Colorofchange Org directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Colorofchange Org tax-deductible?
Colorofchange Org is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 204496889). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Why did expenses significantly exceed revenue in the 202306 period, with expenses at $11,601,195 against revenue of $4,023,965?
The 202306 filing shows a substantial operational deficit. This could be due to strategic investments, one-time expenditures, or a temporary dip in fundraising. Further details from the full 990 filing would be needed to understand the specific reasons for this imbalance.
What caused the significant increase in liabilities from $1,395,112 in 2021 to $6,557,554 in 2023?
The sharp rise in liabilities suggests the organization may have taken on new debt, deferred revenue, or has increased payables. Understanding the nature of these liabilities is crucial for assessing financial risk.
How does Colorofchange Org sustain operations with 0% officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation implies that key leadership roles may be filled by volunteers, compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, or that the organization has a unique compensation structure. This practice is unusual for an organization of this size and asset base.
What is the detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses?
Without a detailed functional expense breakdown in the provided data, it's difficult to precisely assess spending efficiency. A general estimate has been provided, but the actual 990 filing would contain this critical information.
Given the fluctuating revenue, what is the organization's strategy for financial stability and growth?
The organization has experienced significant revenue swings, from $20 million in 2020 to $4 million in 2023. A clear strategy for managing these fluctuations and ensuring consistent funding is essential for long-term sustainability.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Colorofchange Org showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2010–2023), Colorofchange Org's revenue has grown by 681%, moving from $515K to $4.0M. Total assets increased by 3329% over the same period, from $702K to $24.1M. Total functional expenses rose by 4596.6%, from $247K to $11.6M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Colorofchange Org reported a deficit of $7.6M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $6.6M in liabilities against $24.1M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 27.2%), resulting in net assets of $17.5M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $4.0M | $11.6M | $24.1M | $6.6M | — | — |
| 2021 | $19.1M | $11.5M | $30.1M | $1.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $20.5M | $5.1M | $22.6M | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $5.0M | $5.7M | $6.3M | $619K | — | — |
| 2018 | $8.2M | $4.8M | $6.9M | $488K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $3.1M | $2.8M | $3.2M | $197K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $2.6M | $2.1M | $2.9M | $180K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $3.2M | $1.4M | $2.4M | $107K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.0M | $863K | $588K | $64K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $548K | $731K | $403K | $31K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $783K | $998K | $915K | $359K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $698K | $177K | $1.5M | $685K | — | View 990 |
| 2010 | $515K | $247K | $702K | $452K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $4.0M, expenses of $11.6M, and assets of $24.1M (revenue -78.9% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $19.1M, expenses of $11.5M, and assets of $30.1M (revenue -6.8% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $20.5M, expenses of $5.1M, and assets of $22.6M (revenue +307.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $5.0M, expenses of $5.7M, and assets of $6.3M (revenue -38.6% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $8.2M, expenses of $4.8M, and assets of $6.9M (revenue +163.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $3.1M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $3.2M (revenue +18.2% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $2.9M (revenue -16.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $2.4M (revenue +211.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $863K, and assets of $588K (revenue +84.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $548K, expenses of $731K, and assets of $403K (revenue -30.0% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $783K, expenses of $998K, and assets of $915K (revenue +12.3% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $698K, expenses of $177K, and assets of $1.5M (revenue +35.4% year-over-year).
- 2010: Revenue of $515K, expenses of $247K, and assets of $702K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Colorofchange Org:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Colorofchange Org 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.