Credit Research Foundation Inc
Credit Research Foundation Inc. reports no officer compensation but has faced recent operating deficits.
EIN: 135569334 · Westminster, MD · NTEE: W60M · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $4.4M |
| Total Expenses | $1.6M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $1 |
| Net Assets | $869K |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Is Credit Research Foundation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Credit Research Foundation Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Credit Research Foundation Inc
Credit Research Foundation Inc (EIN: 135569334) is a nonprofit organization based in Westminster, MD, classified under NTEE code W60M. The organization reported total revenue of $4.4M and total assets of $1.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Credit Research Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Credit Research Foundation Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 69 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 1.4%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.5M |
| Total Expenses | $1.6M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-104,861 |
| Total Assets | $1.4M |
| Total Liabilities | $574K |
| Net Assets | $869K |
| Operating Margin | -7.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 39.8% |
| Months of Reserves | 10.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Credit Research Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $105K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 10.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 39.8% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Credit Research Foundation Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.4%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +36.4% | -3.6% | +5.5% |
| 2022 | -16.3% | +23.4% | -30.6% |
| 2021 | -5.2% | +6.1% | +1.0% |
| 2020 | -11.6% | -22.3% | -1.2% |
| 2019 | -10.1% | +2.3% | -1.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2800 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1957 |
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 Credit Research Foundation Inc 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: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Credit Research Foundation Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. 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 $105K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 39.8%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers received reportable compensation directly from the organization, which is highly unusual for an organization with annual revenues exceeding $1 million and suggests either a fully volunteer executive team or that compensation is reported under other expense categories.
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 Credit Research Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023 expenses exceeded revenue by $104,861; 2022 expenses exceeded revenue by $561,214).
- Declining asset base from $2.1 million in 2017 to $1.44 million in 2023.
- Unusually high 'Latest Revenue' figure ($4,448,534) compared to historical annual revenues (typically $1.0M-$1.7M), which requires clarification.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Credit Research Foundation Inc:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds at the executive level.
- Stable revenue streams over a long period, suggesting a reliable base of support.
- Maintained a healthy asset base relative to annual expenses, even with recent declines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Credit Research Foundation Inc
Is Credit Research Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Credit Research Foundation Inc (EIN: 135569334) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Maryland. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 75/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $4.4M. 3 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Credit Research Foundation Inc spend its money?
Credit Research Foundation Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Credit Research Foundation Inc tax-deductible?
Credit Research Foundation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 135569334). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Credit Research Foundation Inc CEO make?
Credit Research Foundation Inc's highest-compensated officer earns $1 annually. The organization reported $4.4M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Credit Research Foundation Inc's spending goes to programs?
Credit Research Foundation Inc directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Credit Research Foundation Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 75/100 (Good), Credit Research Foundation Inc is above average for NTEE category W60M nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Credit Research Foundation Inc located?
Credit Research Foundation Inc is headquartered in Westminster, Maryland and files with the IRS under EIN 135569334. It is classified under NTEE code W60M.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Credit Research Foundation Inc have?
Credit Research Foundation 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 $4.4M in total revenue.
Is Credit Research Foundation Inc. a good charity?
The organization shows a commitment to its mission by reporting 0% officer compensation, suggesting a high dedication of resources to its programs. However, recent operating deficits, such as expenses exceeding revenue by over $100,000 in 2023 and over $500,000 in 2022, raise questions about its long-term financial stability. Further investigation into the nature of its programs and the reasons for these deficits would be beneficial.
How does Credit Research Foundation Inc. fund its operations?
Based on the consistent revenue figures, the organization appears to rely on a stable base of support, likely from membership fees, conferences, or research grants, given its NTEE code (W60M - Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis). The 'Latest Revenue' of $4,448,534 compared to annual revenues around $1.5 million suggests a potential one-time significant influx or a different reporting period for the 'Latest Revenue' figure, which warrants clarification.
What is the trend in Credit Research Foundation Inc.'s financial health?
While assets have generally been stable, recent filings show a decline from a peak of $2.1 million in 2017 to $1.44 million in 2023. The organization has also experienced operating deficits in 2023 and 2022, indicating a negative trend in net income and a potential draw-down on reserves.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Credit Research Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Credit Research Foundation Inc's revenue has grown by 17.8%, moving from $1.3M to $1.5M. Total assets increased by 22.6% over the same period, from $1.2M to $1.4M. Total functional expenses rose by 38.2%, from $1.1M to $1.6M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Credit Research Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $105K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $574K in liabilities against $1.4M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 39.8%), resulting in net assets of $869K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.5M | $1.6M | $1.4M | $574K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $1.1M | $1.6M | $1.4M | $515K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.3M | $1.3M | $2.0M | $556K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $1.4M | $1.3M | $2.0M | $501K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.6M | $1.6M | $2.0M | $653K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.7M | $1.6M | $2.0M | $726K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $1.7M | $1.7M | $2.1M | $755K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $1.6M | $1.6M | $1.9M | $728K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.6M | $1.5M | $1.8M | $664K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.5M | $1.3M | $1.8M | $692K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.4M | $1.3M | $1.6M | $541K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.3M | $1.2M | $1.5M | $562K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.3M | $1.1M | $1.2M | $438K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $1.4M (revenue +36.4% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $1.4M (revenue -16.3% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $2.0M (revenue -5.2% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $2.0M (revenue -11.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $2.0M (revenue -10.1% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $2.0M (revenue -0.5% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $2.1M (revenue +7.1% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $1.9M (revenue -1.9% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $1.8M (revenue +12.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $1.8M (revenue +5.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $1.6M (revenue +4.6% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $1.5M (revenue +5.4% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $1.2M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Credit Research Foundation Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Credit Research Foundation 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.