Elmira College
Elmira College faces persistent operating deficits and declining assets over the past decade.
EIN: 160743996 · Elmira, NY · NTEE: B430 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Elmira College Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Elmira College directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Elmira College
Elmira College (EIN: 160743996) is a nonprofit organization based in Elmira, NY, classified under NTEE code B430. The organization reported total revenue of $42.0M and total assets of $102.4M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Elmira College's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Elmira College 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: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Elmira College 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.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The IRS 990 filings consistently report 0% for Officer Compensation across all periods, which is highly unusual for an institution with over $40 million in annual revenue and over $100 million in assets. This suggests that executive compensation may be reported under different categories or that the highest-paid individuals are not classified as 'officers' in a way that triggers this specific disclosure, warranting further scrutiny for transparency.
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 Elmira College's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits (expenses exceeding revenue) over the past decade, e.g., $4M deficit in 2023.
- Significant and continuous decline in total assets from $160.6M in 2014 to $105.4M in 2023.
- Steady decline in total revenue from $69.4M in 2014 to $39.3M in 2023.
- Reporting 0% for Officer Compensation across all filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of this scale.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Elmira College:
- Maintains substantial assets ($105.4M in 2023) despite declines, providing a financial cushion.
- Long operational history as an educational institution (NTEE B430).
Frequently Asked Questions about Elmira College
Is Elmira College a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Elmira College (EIN: 160743996) some concerns. Mission Score: 55/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
How does Elmira College spend its money?
Elmira College directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Elmira College tax-deductible?
Elmira College is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 160743996). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Why has Elmira College experienced a continuous decline in revenue and assets over the past decade?
The provided data shows a consistent downward trend in both revenue (from $69.4M in 2014 to $39.3M in 2023) and assets (from $160.6M in 2014 to $105.4M in 2023), indicating significant financial challenges that require deeper analysis into enrollment, endowment performance, and operational strategies.
What is the cause of the persistent operating deficits, where expenses exceed revenue?
For example, in 2023, expenses were $43.3M against revenues of $39.3M, a deficit of $4M. This trend has been consistent, suggesting that the college's cost structure is not aligned with its revenue generation, potentially due to declining enrollment or increasing operational costs.
How is executive compensation handled, given that 'Officer Comp' is reported as 0% across all filings?
The consistent reporting of 0% for officer compensation is highly unusual for an organization of this size and suggests that executive salaries might be categorized differently or fall below specific reporting thresholds, which could impact transparency.
What is the college's strategy to reverse the trend of declining financial health?
The continuous decline in revenue and assets, coupled with operating deficits, indicates a need for a clear strategic plan to improve financial stability, which is not evident from the summary data alone.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Elmira College showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Elmira College's revenue has declined by 43.7%, moving from $69.7M to $39.3M. Total assets decreased by 37.6% over the same period, from $168.9M to $105.4M. Total functional expenses fell by 35.8%, from $67.3M to $43.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Elmira College reported a deficit of $4.0M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $11.6M in liabilities against $105.4M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 11.0%), resulting in net assets of $93.8M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $39.3M | $43.3M | $105.4M | $11.6M | — | — |
| 2022 | $39.1M | $40.9M | $109.5M | $12.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $39.6M | $41.3M | $123.0M | $16.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $46.7M | $48.1M | $123.8M | $19.5M | — | — |
| 2019 | $47.3M | $52.7M | $129.4M | $20.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $50.9M | $59.0M | $132.3M | $60.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $57.6M | $63.2M | $139.7M | $63.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $65.2M | $69.9M | $143.9M | $70.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $70.6M | $72.8M | $153.7M | $67.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $69.4M | $72.2M | $160.6M | $68.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $72.9M | $73.6M | $158.2M | $69.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $66.7M | $68.3M | $163.0M | $79.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $69.7M | $67.3M | $168.9M | $72.6M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $39.3M, expenses of $43.3M, and assets of $105.4M (revenue +0.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $39.1M, expenses of $40.9M, and assets of $109.5M (revenue -1.3% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $39.6M, expenses of $41.3M, and assets of $123.0M (revenue -15.2% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $46.7M, expenses of $48.1M, and assets of $123.8M (revenue -1.2% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $47.3M, expenses of $52.7M, and assets of $129.4M (revenue -7.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $50.9M, expenses of $59.0M, and assets of $132.3M (revenue -11.5% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $57.6M, expenses of $63.2M, and assets of $139.7M (revenue -11.6% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $65.2M, expenses of $69.9M, and assets of $143.9M (revenue -7.7% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $70.6M, expenses of $72.8M, and assets of $153.7M (revenue +1.7% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $69.4M, expenses of $72.2M, and assets of $160.6M (revenue -4.8% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $72.9M, expenses of $73.6M, and assets of $158.2M (revenue +9.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $66.7M, expenses of $68.3M, and assets of $163.0M (revenue -4.4% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $69.7M, expenses of $67.3M, and assets of $168.9M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Elmira College 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.