Houghton University
Houghton University maintains stable finances with consistent revenue-expense alignment and no reported officer compensation on 990s.
EIN: 160743045 · Houghton, NY · NTEE: B42Z · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $39.2M |
| Total Expenses | $34.1M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $30 |
| Net Assets | $95.7M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Houghton University Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Houghton University directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Houghton University
Houghton University (EIN: 160743045) is a nonprofit organization based in Houghton, NY, classified under NTEE code B42Z. The organization reported total revenue of $39.2M and total assets of $132.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Houghton University's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Houghton University is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 56 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -2.3%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $34.3M |
| Total Expenses | $34.1M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$163K |
| Total Assets | $126.7M |
| Total Liabilities | $31.0M |
| Net Assets | $95.7M |
| Operating Margin | 0.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 24.5% |
| Months of Reserves | 44.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Houghton University reported a surplus of $163K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 44.6 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 24.5% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Houghton University's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.3%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -9.6% | -1.0% | -1.6% |
| 2022 | -19.0% | -20.4% | -5.7% |
| 2021 | +2.7% | -5.7% | +17.4% |
| 2020 | -3.7% | -2.5% | +3.0% |
| 2019 | -1.6% | +0.8% | -3.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 7200 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1970 |
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 Houghton University 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: 10%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Houghton University allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 10%. 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 surplus of $163K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 24.5%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The consistent reporting of 'Officer Comp=0%' across all available IRS 990 filings suggests that Houghton University does not compensate its officers, or at least does not report it in the standard manner on these forms. This is highly unusual for an organization of its size with annual revenues around $30-40 million and assets exceeding $100 million, and warrants further investigation to understand the full compensation structure.
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 Houghton University's IRS 990 filings:
- Unusual 'Officer Comp=0%' reporting for an organization of this size, requiring further investigation into executive compensation practices.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Houghton University:
- Consistent financial stability with assets significantly exceeding liabilities (e.g., $126,684,978 assets vs. $31,034,434 liabilities in 202305).
- Revenues generally align with expenses, indicating sound operational budgeting and sustainability.
- Positive net asset growth over the long term, from $105,728,657 in 201405 to $126,684,978 in 202305.
Frequently Asked Questions about Houghton University
Is Houghton University a legitimate charity?
Houghton University (EIN: 160743045) 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: $39.2M. 1 red flag identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does Houghton University spend its money?
Houghton University directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Houghton University tax-deductible?
Houghton University is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 160743045). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Houghton University CEO make?
Houghton University's highest-compensated officer earns $30 annually. The organization reported $39.2M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Houghton University's spending goes to programs?
Houghton University directs 80% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Houghton University compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Houghton University is above average for NTEE category B42Z nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Houghton University located?
Houghton University is headquartered in Houghton, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 160743045. It is classified under NTEE code B42Z.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Houghton University have?
Houghton University 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 $39.2M in total revenue.
Is Houghton University a good charity?
Based on the available IRS 990 data, Houghton University appears to be a financially stable institution with a consistent track record of managing its revenues and expenses. The lack of reported officer compensation on the 990s is a unique characteristic that could be viewed positively for efficiency, assuming other compensation details are transparently available elsewhere. Its consistent asset growth relative to liabilities also indicates sound financial management.
How does Houghton University manage its executive compensation?
The IRS 990 filings consistently show 'Officer Comp=0%', which means no compensation was reported for officers on these forms. For an organization of this size, it is highly unusual not to have any reported officer compensation. Further inquiry into their full compensation policies and disclosures would be necessary to understand how executive compensation is managed.
What is the trend in Houghton University's financial health?
Houghton University has demonstrated consistent financial health over the past decade. While revenues and expenses fluctuate year-to-year (e.g., revenue dropped from $46,783,806 in 202105 to $34,286,849 in 202305), the organization consistently maintains a positive net asset position, with assets significantly exceeding liabilities. Expenses generally track closely with revenues, indicating operational stability.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Houghton University showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Houghton University's revenue has declined by 24.1%, moving from $45.2M to $34.3M. Total assets increased by 40.9% over the same period, from $89.9M to $126.7M. Total functional expenses fell by 24.7%, from $45.3M to $34.1M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Houghton University reported a surplus of $163K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $31.0M in liabilities against $126.7M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 24.5%), resulting in net assets of $95.7M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $34.3M | $34.1M | $126.7M | $31.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $37.9M | $34.5M | $128.7M | $31.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $46.8M | $43.3M | $136.5M | $29.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $45.6M | $45.9M | $116.3M | $32.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $47.3M | $47.1M | $112.9M | $31.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $48.1M | $46.7M | $117.0M | $32.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $46.1M | $46.6M | $111.2M | $32.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $43.0M | $45.8M | $106.1M | $33.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $42.0M | $44.0M | $109.8M | $34.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $41.6M | $42.5M | $105.7M | $29.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $50.7M | $43.5M | $101.9M | $28.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $50.4M | $45.5M | $90.6M | $29.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $45.2M | $45.3M | $89.9M | $30.7M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $34.3M, expenses of $34.1M, and assets of $126.7M (revenue -9.6% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $37.9M, expenses of $34.5M, and assets of $128.7M (revenue -19.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $46.8M, expenses of $43.3M, and assets of $136.5M (revenue +2.7% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $45.6M, expenses of $45.9M, and assets of $116.3M (revenue -3.7% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $47.3M, expenses of $47.1M, and assets of $112.9M (revenue -1.6% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $48.1M, expenses of $46.7M, and assets of $117.0M (revenue +4.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $46.1M, expenses of $46.6M, and assets of $111.2M (revenue +7.3% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $43.0M, expenses of $45.8M, and assets of $106.1M (revenue +2.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $42.0M, expenses of $44.0M, and assets of $109.8M (revenue +0.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $41.6M, expenses of $42.5M, and assets of $105.7M (revenue -17.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $50.7M, expenses of $43.5M, and assets of $101.9M (revenue +0.7% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $50.4M, expenses of $45.5M, and assets of $90.6M (revenue +11.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $45.2M, expenses of $45.3M, and assets of $89.9M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Houghton University:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Houghton University 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.