Cornell University Foundation
Cornell University Foundation: Strong Asset Growth, Volatile Revenue
EIN: 222848738 · Ithaca, NY · NTEE: B43 · Updated: 2026-04-04
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $24.5M |
| Total Expenses | $25.5M |
| Program Spending | 75% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $0 |
| Net Assets | $176.7M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Search Intent Cockpit
Cornell University Foundation Form 990, Revenue, CEO Pay, and IRS Filing Signals
Cornell University Foundation is surfaced here as a decision-ready nonprofit financial profile, not just a charity listing. The page consolidates IRS Form 990 revenue, expenses, assets, tax-exempt classification, executive compensation, mission score, red flags, and year-by-year filing history so donors, researchers, journalists, and grant teams can answer the common search questions around Cornell University Foundation in one place.
Form 990 Filing Summary
13 filing years are available, with latest revenue of $41.0M and expenses of $25.5M.
Revenue and Expenses
Cornell University Foundation reported $41.0M in revenue and $25.5M in expenses, a surplus of $15.4M.
Executive Compensation
Top officer compensation appears as $0 in the stored analysis, with context against revenue and expenses below.
Charity Score and Red Flags
85/100 mission score, 3 red flags, and 3 strengths are shown from structured and AI review.
Is Cornell University Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
IRS 990 Data Cockpit
Where the Money Comes From and Where It Goes
Revenue Source Mix
Revenue-source line items are not available on the stored filing yet. Future ingestion now preserves contribution, program-revenue, and investment-income fields when ProPublica provides them.
Expense Deployment
| Program services | $19.1M (75%) |
Across stored filings, Cornell University Foundation shows contribution history pending. Next enrichment targets: revenue-source fields, IRS BMF classification.
Decision Cockpit
One-Stop Donor, Research, and Peer Context Hub
| Decision Lens | Signal | What to Inspect Next |
|---|---|---|
| Legitimacy | Some Concerns | Good filing record; 3 red flags identified |
| Mission spend | 75% to programs | Excellent |
| Financial durability | Grade A | 13 stored filing years |
| Peer context | Compare with Healthy Capital District Initiative | New York and Education context |
Trust Check
Review legitimacy, deductibility, red flags, and filing consistency.
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Keep the Investigation Moving
Cornell University Foundation directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Cornell University Foundation
Cornell University Foundation (EIN: 222848738) is a nonprofit organization based in Ithaca, NY, classified under NTEE code B43. The organization reported total revenue of $24.5M and total assets of $185.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Cornell University Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Cornell University Foundation is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 2 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 14.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $41.0M |
| Total Expenses | $25.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$15.4M |
| Total Assets | $176.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $115K |
| Net Assets | $176.7M |
| Operating Margin | 37.7% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 83.2 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Cornell University Foundation reported a surplus of $15.4M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 83.2 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.1% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Cornell University Foundation's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +123.4% | -10.3% | +5.8% |
| 2022 | -37.3% | -43.1% | -7.0% |
| 2021 | -25.2% | +50.0% | +7.5% |
| 2020 | +174.7% | +24.4% | +2.1% |
| 2019 | -37.5% | -24.3% | -4.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2024 |
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 Cornell University Foundation 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: 15%
- programs: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Cornell University Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% 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 surplus of $15.4M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as $0 in the provided filings, which is highly atypical for an organization managing over $170 million in assets and suggests that executive salaries are likely paid by Cornell University directly and not reflected in these specific foundation filings.
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 Cornell University Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent reporting of $0 executive compensation raises questions about the true cost of leadership and where these expenses are accounted for.
- Significant year-over-year revenue volatility (e.g., $44.5M in 2016 vs. $14.2M in 2019) could impact long-term financial planning and stability.
- The 'l' (liabilities) field in the data is not consistently labeled or explained, making it difficult to fully assess financial obligations without further context.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Cornell University Foundation:
- Strong and consistent growth in assets, from $157,903,500 in 2016 to $176,829,852 in 2023, demonstrating effective asset management.
- Low reported liabilities relative to total assets, indicating a healthy financial position.
- The foundation's role in supporting a major educational institution like Cornell University provides inherent stability and a clear mission.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cornell University Foundation
Is Cornell University Foundation a legitimate charity?
Cornell University Foundation (EIN: 222848738) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 85/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $24.5M. 3 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does Cornell University Foundation spend its money?
Cornell University Foundation directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Cornell University Foundation tax-deductible?
Cornell University Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 222848738). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Cornell University Foundation CEO make?
Cornell University Foundation's highest-compensated officer earns $0 annually. The organization reported $24.5M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Cornell University Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Cornell University Foundation directs 75% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Cornell University Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Cornell University Foundation is above average for NTEE category B43 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Cornell University Foundation located?
Cornell University Foundation is headquartered in Ithaca, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 222848738. It is classified under NTEE code B43.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Cornell University Foundation have?
Cornell University Foundation has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $24.5M in total revenue.
What does Cornell University Foundation do?
Cornell University Foundation is a nonprofit organization in the Education sector, located in Ithaca, New York. It is classified under NTEE code B43.
How much revenue does Cornell University Foundation have?
Cornell University Foundation reported total revenue of $24,507,136. Based on 13 IRS 990 filings on record.
What are Cornell University Foundation's total assets?
Cornell University Foundation holds total assets of $185,600,925 as reported in IRS 990 filings.
Where is Cornell University Foundation located?
Cornell University Foundation is based in Ithaca, New York.
What is Cornell University Foundation's EIN?
Cornell University Foundation's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 222848738. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS for tax-exempt organizations.
What type of nonprofit is Cornell University Foundation?
Cornell University Foundation is classified under NTEE code B43 (Education).
Is Cornell University Foundation a registered 501(c)(3)?
Yes, Cornell University Foundation is recognized as a tax-exempt organization by the IRS. EIN: 222848738.
Does Cornell University Foundation file IRS Form 990?
Yes, Cornell University Foundation has 13 IRS Form 990 filings on record. The most recent covers tax period 202306.
What was Cornell University Foundation's revenue in 2023?
In the 202306 filing period, Cornell University Foundation reported total revenue of $40,953,921, total expenses of $25,513,764, and net assets of $176,829,852.
Is Cornell University Foundation's revenue growing or declining?
Cornell University Foundation's revenue is growing. Revenue went from $18,329,237 (202206) to $40,953,921 (202306), a +123.4% change. Based on 13 filings on record.
What is Cornell University Foundation's most recent 990 filing?
The most recent IRS Form 990 filing for Cornell University Foundation covers tax period 202306. It shows revenue of $40,953,921, expenses of $25,513,764, total assets of $176,829,852, and liabilities of $115,150.
How much does Cornell University Foundation spend on programs vs administration?
Based on IRS 990 analysis, Cornell University Foundation allocates approximately 75% of expenses to program services, 15% to administrative costs, and 10% to fundraising. This indicates strong program focus.
Is Cornell University Foundation a trustworthy charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 data, Cornell University Foundation appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100 (Excellent). 3 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted.
What are the red flags for Cornell University Foundation?
The following concerns were identified: Consistent reporting of $0 executive compensation raises questions about the true cost of leadership and where these expenses are accounted for.. Significant year-over-year revenue volatility (e.g., $44.5M in 2016 vs. $14.2M in 2019) could impact long-term financial planning and stability.. The 'l' (liabilities) field in the data is not consistently labeled or explained, making it difficult to fully assess financial obligations without further context.. These flags are based on automated analysis of IRS 990 public filings and should be verified independently.
What are Cornell University Foundation's strengths?
Positive indicators for Cornell University Foundation include: Strong and consistent growth in assets, from $157,903,500 in 2016 to $176,829,852 in 2023, demonstrating effective asset management.. Low reported liabilities relative to total assets, indicating a healthy financial position.. The foundation's role in supporting a major educational institution like Cornell University provides inherent stability and a clear mission.. These findings are derived from AI analysis of the organization's financial filings.
How does Cornell University Foundation compensate executives?
Executive compensation is consistently reported as $0 in the provided filings, which is highly atypical for an organization managing over $170 million in assets and suggests that executive salaries are likely paid by Cornell University directly and not reflected in these specific foundation filings. Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require disclosure of officer, director, and key employee pay.
How transparent is Cornell University Foundation?
- The organization consistently reports 0% compensation for its highest-paid employees, which is unusual for an entity of its size and asset base, suggesting executive compensation may be covered by the parent university or not fully disclosed within these filings. - Filings show significant fluctuations in revenue, from a high of $44,591,298 in 2016 to a low of $14,223,248 in 2019, indicating reliance on variable funding sources. - Liabilities have generally remained low relative to assets, wit Transparency assessment is based on the availability and consistency of IRS 990 filing data, spending disclosure, and governance indicators.
Given the consistent $0 executive compensation, how does the foundation ensure accountability and transparency regarding the compensation of its leadership, even if paid by the parent university?
While the filings indicate $0 compensation, a comprehensive understanding of executive compensation would require reviewing Cornell University's consolidated financial statements or specific agreements detailing how foundation leadership is compensated and where those costs are allocated.
What factors contribute to the significant fluctuations in reported revenue, and what strategies are in place to mitigate the impact of such volatility on the foundation's operations and grant-making capacity?
The revenue volatility could stem from varying donation levels, investment returns, or specific fundraising campaigns. To mitigate this, the foundation likely relies on its substantial asset base and endowment draw policies to ensure consistent support for Cornell University, independent of annual revenue swings.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Cornell University Foundation showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Cornell University Foundation's revenue has grown by 408.8%, moving from $8.0M to $41.0M. Total assets increased by 189.4% over the same period, from $61.1M to $176.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 283.3%, from $6.7M to $25.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Cornell University Foundation reported a surplus of $15.4M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $115K in liabilities against $176.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.1%), resulting in net assets of $176.7M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $41.0M | $25.5M | $176.8M | $115K | — | — |
| 2022 | $18.3M | $28.4M | $167.2M | $1.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $29.2M | $50.0M | $179.8M | $32K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $39.1M | $33.4M | $167.2M | $725K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $14.2M | $26.8M | $163.8M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $22.8M | $35.5M | $170.6M | $524K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $33.9M | $19.0M | $179.4M | $933K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $44.6M | $21.0M | $157.9M | $1.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $72.9M | $24.6M | $145.5M | $579K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $39.2M | $17.4M | $92.2M | $73K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $28.5M | $10.7M | $71.0M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $9.5M | $17.7M | $50.7M | $100K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $8.0M | $6.7M | $61.1M | $36K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $41.0M, expenses of $25.5M, and assets of $176.8M (revenue +123.4% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $18.3M, expenses of $28.4M, and assets of $167.2M (revenue -37.3% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $29.2M, expenses of $50.0M, and assets of $179.8M (revenue -25.2% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $39.1M, expenses of $33.4M, and assets of $167.2M (revenue +174.7% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $14.2M, expenses of $26.8M, and assets of $163.8M (revenue -37.5% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $22.8M, expenses of $35.5M, and assets of $170.6M (revenue -32.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $33.9M, expenses of $19.0M, and assets of $179.4M (revenue -24.0% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $44.6M, expenses of $21.0M, and assets of $157.9M (revenue -38.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $72.9M, expenses of $24.6M, and assets of $145.5M (revenue +85.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $39.2M, expenses of $17.4M, and assets of $92.2M (revenue +37.4% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $28.5M, expenses of $10.7M, and assets of $71.0M (revenue +199.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $9.5M, expenses of $17.7M, and assets of $50.7M (revenue +18.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $8.0M, expenses of $6.7M, and assets of $61.1M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Cornell University Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Cornell University Foundation 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.