Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc

Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc faces significant financial challenges with declining revenue and growing liabilities.

EIN: 136214741 · New York, NY · NTEE: S41Z · Updated: 2026-03-28

$2.4MRevenue
$1.8MGross Revenue
$1.9MAssets
45/100Mission Score (Fair)
S41Z
Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc Financial Summary
MetricValue
Total Revenue$2.4M
Total Expenses$2.2M
Program Spending70%
Net Assets$-4,503,710
Transparency Score45/100

Is Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc Legit?

Significant Concerns

GoodFiling Consistency
GoodSpending Efficiency
ModerateTransparency
4 FoundRed Flags

Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →

Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.

About Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc

Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc (EIN: 136214741) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY, classified under NTEE code S41Z. The organization reported total revenue of $2.4M and total assets of $1.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

Organization Overview

40Years Operating
Mid-SizeSize Classification
13Years of Filings
MixedRevenue Trajectory

Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 40 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -2.7%.

Key Financial Metrics (2023)

From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:

Total Revenue$1.1M
Total Expenses$2.2M
Surplus / Deficit$-1,199,530
Total Assets$2.0M
Total Liabilities$6.5M
Net Assets$-4,503,710
Operating Margin-114.2%
Debt-to-Asset Ratio320.6%
Months of Reserves10.9 months

Financial Health Grade: C

In 2023, Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc reported a deficit of $1.2M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 10.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 320.6% (high leverage).

Financial Trends

Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.7%.

YearRevenue ChangeExpense ChangeAsset Change
2023-24.4%-4.7%+6.8%
2022+0.1%+11.2%-15.3%
2021-24.1%-10.0%-5.2%
2020+0.9%-32.7%+16.4%
2019-55.4%-25.8%-5.2%

IRS Tax-Exempt Classification

IRS Classification Codes2000
IRS Ruling Date1986

Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.

AI Transparency Report

The Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc (CFDA) has experienced a significant decline in revenue over the past several years, from a peak of $6,890,981 in 2016 to $1,050,282 in 2023. This trend is concerning, as expenses have consistently outpaced revenue in most recent periods, leading to operating deficits. For example, in 2023, expenses were $2,249,812 against revenues of $1,050,282, indicating a substantial shortfall. The organization's liabilities have also grown considerably, reaching $6,545,667 in 2023, far exceeding its assets of $2,041,957. This suggests a precarious financial position with a high debt burden relative to its available resources. While the organization reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which could be seen as a positive for transparency regarding executive pay, the overall financial health is challenged by persistent operating losses and increasing liabilities. The NTEE code S41Z indicates a focus on 'Fashion Design & Related Activities,' suggesting a program-oriented mission. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, it's difficult to fully assess spending efficiency. The consistent operating deficits and growing liabilities are significant red flags that warrant closer examination of their financial management and sustainability strategies. The CFDA's financial trajectory shows a pattern of declining revenue and increasing financial strain. The substantial increase in liabilities, particularly in recent years, raises questions about long-term solvency and the ability to sustain operations without significant changes to their financial model or a substantial increase in funding. The lack of reported officer compensation is a positive transparency point, but it does not offset the broader financial concerns.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc with a Mission Score of 45 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

According to IRS 990 filings, Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.

Key Financial Metrics (2023)

From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:

$1.1MTotal Revenue
$2.2MTotal Expenses
$2.0MTotal Assets
$6.5MTotal Liabilities
$-4,503,710Net Assets

Executive Compensation Analysis

The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no compensation was paid to officers, directors, trustees, or key employees, which is a strong positive for transparency and resource allocation.

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 Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc's IRS 990 filings:

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc:

Frequently Asked Questions about Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc

Is Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc (EIN: 136214741) significant concerns. Mission Score: 45/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.

How does Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc spend its money?

Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.

Are donations to Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc tax-deductible?

Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 136214741). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.

What percentage of Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc's spending goes to programs?

Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc directs 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.

How does Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc compare to similar nonprofits?

With a transparency score of 45/100 (Fair), Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc is near average for NTEE category S41Z nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.

Where is Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc located?

Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc is headquartered in New York, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 136214741. It is classified under NTEE code S41Z.

How many years of IRS 990 filings does Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc have?

Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc 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 $2.4M in total revenue.

Is the Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc financially sustainable?

The organization's financial sustainability is questionable given the consistent operating deficits (e.g., $1,199,530 in 2023) and the substantial increase in liabilities ($6,545,667 in 2023) which far exceed its assets ($2,041,957).

Why have revenues declined so sharply since 2016?

Revenues have decreased from $6,890,981 in 2016 to $1,050,282 in 2023, representing an 84.7% drop. The filings do not provide specific reasons for this decline, but it is a critical factor impacting financial health.

What is the plan to address the growing liabilities?

Liabilities have increased significantly, from $1,507,606 in 2018 to $6,545,667 in 2023. The filings do not detail specific plans to manage or reduce this debt burden.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:

Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc's revenue has declined by 27.6%, moving from $1.5M to $1.1M. Total assets decreased by 9.4% over the same period, from $2.3M to $2.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 152.6%, from $891K to $2.2M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc reported a deficit of $1.2M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $6.5M in liabilities against $2.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 320.6%), resulting in net assets of $-4,503,710.

YearRevenueExpensesAssetsLiabilitiesOfficer Comp. %PDF
2023 $1.1M $2.2M $2.0M $6.5M View 990
2022 $1.4M $2.4M $1.9M $5.2M View 990
2021 $1.4M $2.1M $2.3M $4.4M View 990
2020 $1.8M $2.4M $2.4M $3.6M View 990
2019 $1.8M $3.5M $2.0M $2.9M
2018 $4.1M $4.7M $2.2M $1.5M View 990
2017 $5.0M $6.7M $3.0M $1.6M View 990
2016 $6.9M $8.2M $5.3M $2.3M View 990
2015 $4.6M $4.7M $7.6M $3.3M View 990
2014 $2.5M $1.9M $8.1M $3.6M View 990
2013 $2.1M $1.4M $4.0M $159K View 990
2012 $2.1M $1.1M $3.5M $449K View 990
2011 $1.5M $891K $2.3M $207K View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

View Individual Filing Years

Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc:

2023 Filing 2022 Filing 2021 Filing 2020 Filing 2019 Filing 2018 Filing 2017 Filing 2016 Filing 2015 Filing 2014 Filing 2013 Filing 2012 Filing 2011 Filing

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Inc 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.

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