Council For Adult And Experiental Learning
Council For Adult And Experiential Learning faces significant financial decline with consistent operating deficits and shrinking assets.
EIN: 132890752 · Indianapolis, IN · NTEE: B60 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $5.2M |
| Total Expenses | $7.1M |
| Program Spending | 75% |
| Net Assets | $1.7M |
| Transparency Score | 55/100 |
Is Council For Adult And Experiental Learning Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Council For Adult And Experiental Learning directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Council For Adult And Experiental Learning
Council For Adult And Experiental Learning (EIN: 132890752) is a nonprofit organization based in Indianapolis, IN, classified under NTEE code B60. The organization reported total revenue of $5.2M and total assets of $4.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Council For Adult And Experiental Learning's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Council For Adult And Experiental Learning is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 46 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2020). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -8.0%.
Key Financial Metrics (2020)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $4.3M |
| Total Expenses | $7.1M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-2,776,141 |
| Total Assets | $4.5M |
| Total Liabilities | $2.8M |
| Net Assets | $1.7M |
| Operating Margin | -64.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 61.5% |
| Months of Reserves | 7.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2020, Council For Adult And Experiental Learning reported a deficit of $2.8M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 7.6 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 61.5% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2020), Council For Adult And Experiental Learning's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.0%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | -25.7% | -32.7% | -25.7% |
| 2019 | -45.7% | -2.6% | -53.4% |
| 2018 | +25.5% | -5.9% | -2.6% |
| 2017 | -0.6% | +0.4% | -0.9% |
| 2016 | -29.5% | +7.1% | -14.7% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1980 |
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 Council For Adult And Experiental Learning with a Mission Score of 55 out of 100 (Fair). 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, Council For Adult And Experiental Learning 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 (2020)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $2.8M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 61.5%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size and revenue levels. This could indicate that executive compensation is either very low, not reported under this specific category, or is being absorbed into other expense lines, warranting further investigation into the detailed compensation schedules.
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 Council For Adult And Experiental Learning's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits: Expenses have significantly outpaced revenue in multiple recent periods (e.g., $7M expenses vs. $4.3M revenue in 2020; $10.5M expenses vs. $5.7M revenue in 2019).
- Significant decline in revenue: Revenue has dropped from over $12M in 2015 to $4.3M in 2020.
- Substantial decrease in assets: Total assets have fallen from nearly $16M in 2015 to $4.5M in 2020.
- Unusual 0% officer compensation reported: For an organization of this size, reporting 0% officer compensation across all filings is highly atypical and warrants further scrutiny.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Council For Adult And Experiental Learning:
- Long filing history: 10 years of IRS 990 filings provide a comprehensive view of financial trends.
- NTEE code B60 indicates a focus on adult education, aligning with a clear mission.
Frequently Asked Questions about Council For Adult And Experiental Learning
Is Council For Adult And Experiental Learning a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Council For Adult And Experiental Learning (EIN: 132890752) some concerns. Mission Score: 55/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
How does Council For Adult And Experiental Learning spend its money?
Council For Adult And Experiental Learning directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Council For Adult And Experiental Learning tax-deductible?
Council For Adult And Experiental Learning is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 132890752). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Council For Adult And Experiental Learning's spending goes to programs?
Council For Adult And Experiental Learning directs 75% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Council For Adult And Experiental Learning compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 55/100 (Fair), Council For Adult And Experiental Learning is near average for NTEE category B60 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Council For Adult And Experiental Learning located?
Council For Adult And Experiental Learning is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and files with the IRS under EIN 132890752. It is classified under NTEE code B60.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Council For Adult And Experiental Learning have?
Council For Adult And Experiental Learning has 10 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 $5.2M in total revenue.
Why has CAEL's revenue declined so significantly in recent years?
CAEL's revenue has dropped from a high of $12,142,315 in 2015 to $4,303,081 in 2020, a decrease of over 64%. This trend requires an understanding of changes in funding sources, program demand, or strategic shifts.
How does CAEL plan to address its consistent operating deficits?
For example, in 2020, expenses ($7,079,222) exceeded revenue ($4,303,081) by over $2.7 million. This pattern of spending more than it earns is unsustainable and needs a clear strategy for financial recovery.
What is the detailed breakdown of executive compensation, given the 0% reported officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% for officer compensation across all filings is highly unusual for an organization with revenues in the millions. Further detail on compensation for key employees is needed to assess transparency and fairness.
What is the strategy behind the significant reduction in assets?
Assets have decreased from $15,757,096 in 2015 to $4,495,606 in 2020. Understanding whether this is due to asset sales, depreciation, or utilization to cover deficits is crucial.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Council For Adult And Experiental Learning showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2020), Council For Adult And Experiental Learning's revenue has declined by 52.9%, moving from $9.1M to $4.3M. Total assets decreased by 67.9% over the same period, from $14.0M to $4.5M. Total functional expenses fell by 11.6%, from $8.0M to $7.1M. In its most recent filing year (2020), Council For Adult And Experiental Learning reported a deficit of $2.8M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $2.8M in liabilities against $4.5M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 61.5%), resulting in net assets of $1.7M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $4.3M | $7.1M | $4.5M | $2.8M | — | — |
| 2019 | $5.8M | $10.5M | $6.0M | $3.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $10.7M | $10.8M | $13.0M | $3.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $8.5M | $11.5M | $13.3M | $5.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $8.6M | $11.4M | $13.4M | $3.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $12.1M | $10.7M | $15.8M | $2.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $10.6M | $9.6M | $13.3M | $881K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $6.7M | $9.5M | $11.8M | $1.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $8.7M | $8.7M | $13.3M | $3.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $9.1M | $8.0M | $14.0M | $3.2M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2020: Revenue of $4.3M, expenses of $7.1M, and assets of $4.5M (revenue -25.7% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $5.8M, expenses of $10.5M, and assets of $6.0M (revenue -45.7% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $10.7M, expenses of $10.8M, and assets of $13.0M (revenue +25.5% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $8.5M, expenses of $11.5M, and assets of $13.3M (revenue -0.6% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $8.6M, expenses of $11.4M, and assets of $13.4M (revenue -29.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $12.1M, expenses of $10.7M, and assets of $15.8M (revenue +14.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $10.6M, expenses of $9.6M, and assets of $13.3M (revenue +58.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $6.7M, expenses of $9.5M, and assets of $11.8M (revenue -23.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $8.7M, expenses of $8.7M, and assets of $13.3M (revenue -4.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $9.1M, expenses of $8.0M, and assets of $14.0M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Council For Adult And Experiental Learning:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Council For Adult And Experiental Learning 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.