Common Future
Common Future experiences significant financial fluctuations, with 2023 expenses exceeding revenue by over $5 million.
EIN: 201544255 · San Francisco, CA · NTEE: S41 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Common Future Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Common Future directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Common Future
Common Future (EIN: 201544255) is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, CA, classified under NTEE code S41. The organization reported total revenue of $7.9M and total assets of $17.4M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Common Future's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Common Future is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 21 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 10.3%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $5.3M |
| Total Expenses | $10.3M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-5,028,824 |
| Total Assets | $19.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $692K |
| Net Assets | $19.1M |
| Operating Margin | -94.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 3.5% |
| Months of Reserves | 23.0 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Common Future reported a deficit of $5.0M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 23.0 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 3.5% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Common Future's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -59.4% | +7.9% | -31.0% |
| 2022 | -14.2% | +78.2% | +59.1% |
| 2021 | +22.7% | -25.3% | +111.9% |
| 2020 | +213.2% | +172.9% | +194.2% |
| 2019 | +133.6% | +27.2% | +114.2% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2005 |
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 Common Future 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, Common Future 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 $5.0M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 3.5%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Common Future consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no compensation is paid to officers, directors, trustees, or key employees, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size and revenue, suggesting either pro-bono leadership or compensation is categorized differently.
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 Common Future's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant deficit in 2023 ($5,028,824, with expenses of $10,336,045 exceeding revenue of $5,307,221)
- Large fluctuations in revenue and expenses year-over-year, indicating potential instability or project-based funding cycles
- Unusually low (0%) reported officer compensation for an organization of this scale, which may obscure actual leadership costs or structure
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Common Future:
- Strong asset base, with assets of $19,840,042 in 2023 providing financial cushion
- History of substantial revenue generation, peaking at over $15 million in 2021
- Low liabilities in 2023 ($691,763) relative to assets, indicating good financial health in that regard
Frequently Asked Questions about Common Future
Is Common Future a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Common Future (EIN: 201544255) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Common Future spend its money?
Common Future directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Common Future tax-deductible?
Common Future is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 201544255). 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 2023?
In 2023, Common Future reported $10,336,045 in expenses against $5,307,221 in revenue, resulting in a deficit of over $5 million. This could indicate strategic spending of accumulated reserves, significant one-time investments, or a temporary operational deficit.
What caused the large fluctuation in assets and liabilities between 2022 and 2023?
Assets decreased from $28,743,472 in 2022 to $19,840,042 in 2023, while liabilities decreased from $4,566,369 to $691,763 in the same period. This suggests a significant reduction in financial obligations and potentially a strategic deployment or divestment of assets.
How does Common Future manage its executive leadership without reported officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is highly unusual for an organization with revenues reaching $15 million. It suggests that leadership may be entirely volunteer-based, compensated through a related entity, or that compensation is not categorized under 'officer compensation' in the 990.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Common Future showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Common Future's revenue has grown by 224.7%, moving from $1.6M to $5.3M. Total assets increased by 2647.8% over the same period, from $722K to $19.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 560.9%, from $1.6M to $10.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Common Future reported a deficit of $5.0M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $692K in liabilities against $19.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 3.5%), resulting in net assets of $19.1M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $5.3M | $10.3M | $19.8M | $692K | — | — |
| 2022 | $13.1M | $9.6M | $28.7M | $4.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $15.2M | $5.4M | $18.1M | $520K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $12.4M | $7.2M | $8.5M | $835K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $4.0M | $2.6M | $2.9M | $424K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.7M | $2.1M | $1.4M | $206K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $2.1M | $2.0M | $1.6M | $124K | — | — |
| 2016 | $2.4M | $2.2M | $1.6M | $133K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $2.5M | $2.0M | $1.1M | $195K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.5M | $2.0M | $1.1M | $195K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.9M | $1.8M | $1.0M | $523K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.6M | $1.5M | $786K | $437K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.6M | $1.6M | $722K | $490K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $5.3M, expenses of $10.3M, and assets of $19.8M (revenue -59.4% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $13.1M, expenses of $9.6M, and assets of $28.7M (revenue -14.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $15.2M, expenses of $5.4M, and assets of $18.1M (revenue +22.7% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $12.4M, expenses of $7.2M, and assets of $8.5M (revenue +213.2% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $4.0M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $2.9M (revenue +133.6% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $1.4M (revenue -18.6% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $2.1M, expenses of $2.0M, and assets of $1.6M (revenue -13.1% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $2.4M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $1.6M (revenue -2.7% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $2.0M, and assets of $1.1M (revenue +0.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $2.0M, and assets of $1.1M (revenue +29.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $1.0M (revenue +21.5% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $786K (revenue -4.0% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $722K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Common Future:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Common Future 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.