Illuminating Engineering Society
Illuminating Engineering Society faces significant financial decline with consistent operating losses and rapidly depleting assets.
EIN: 131767038 · New York, NY · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $8.0M |
| Total Expenses | $4.4M |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| Net Assets | $5.7M |
| Transparency Score | 45/100 |
Is Illuminating Engineering Society Legit?
Significant Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Illuminating Engineering Society directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Illuminating Engineering Society
Illuminating Engineering Society (EIN: 131767038) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY. The organization reported total revenue of $8.0M and total assets of $4.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Illuminating Engineering Society's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Illuminating Engineering Society is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 35 years, with 14 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -4.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $3.8M |
| Total Expenses | $4.4M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-555,135 |
| Total Assets | $7.3M |
| Total Liabilities | $1.6M |
| Net Assets | $5.7M |
| Operating Margin | -14.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 21.6% |
| Months of Reserves | 20.0 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Illuminating Engineering Society reported a deficit of $555K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 20.0 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 21.6% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 14 years of filings (2011–2023), Illuminating Engineering Society's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -18.3% | -38.4% | -43.5% |
| 2023 | -10.5% | -15.5% | +5.0% |
| 2022 | +21.1% | +30.5% | -30.0% |
| 2021 | -15.3% | -25.6% | -6.7% |
| 2020 | -37.8% | -4.7% | -17.1% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2800 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1991 |
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 Illuminating Engineering Society 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
- admin: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Illuminating Engineering Society 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:
- The organization reported a deficit of $555K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 21.6%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Officer compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, suggesting either that no officers receive compensation or that it is reported under other expense categories, which would impact 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 Illuminating Engineering Society's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating losses: Expenses have exceeded revenue in most recent periods (e.g., 202312, 202306, 202206).
- Rapid decline in assets: Assets have fallen from $23,022,696 in 201806 to $7,306,323 in 202312.
- Significant fluctuation in liabilities: A sharp increase in liabilities from $1,864,613 in 202206 to $6,567,522 in 202306.
- Unsustainable spending relative to revenue: The organization's current spending patterns are not supported by its revenue generation.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Illuminating Engineering Society:
- No reported officer compensation: Officer compensation is consistently listed as 0% in the filings, indicating transparency in this specific area or that compensation is not directly paid to officers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Illuminating Engineering Society
Is Illuminating Engineering Society a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Illuminating Engineering Society (EIN: 131767038) significant concerns. Mission Score: 45/100. 4 red flags identified, 1 strength noted.
How does Illuminating Engineering Society spend its money?
Illuminating Engineering Society directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Illuminating Engineering Society tax-deductible?
Illuminating Engineering Society is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 131767038). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Illuminating Engineering Society's spending goes to programs?
Illuminating Engineering Society directs 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Illuminating Engineering Society located?
Illuminating Engineering Society is headquartered in New York, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 131767038.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Illuminating Engineering Society have?
Illuminating Engineering Society has 14 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 $8.0M in total revenue.
Is Illuminating Engineering Society financially stable?
No, the organization is not financially stable. It has consistently reported expenses exceeding revenue in recent years, leading to a significant decline in assets from over $23 million in 2018 to $7.3 million in 2023.
Why have the assets decreased so dramatically?
Assets have decreased dramatically due to sustained operating losses, where expenses have consistently outpaced revenue. For example, in 202312, expenses were $4,376,298 while revenue was $3,821,163, contributing to the asset depletion.
What caused the large increase in liabilities in 202306?
Liabilities surged from $1,864,613 in 202206 to $6,567,522 in 202306. The specific cause is not detailed in the provided data, but such a significant increase warrants further investigation into the organization's financial obligations.
Is the 0% officer compensation accurate?
The filings consistently report 0% for officer compensation. While this suggests no direct compensation to officers, it's important to verify if executive salaries are reported under other expense lines, which could obscure the true cost of leadership.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Illuminating Engineering Society showing financial trends over 14 years of public records:
Over 14 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Illuminating Engineering Society's revenue has declined by 42.4%, moving from $6.6M to $3.8M. Total assets decreased by 49.5% over the same period, from $14.5M to $7.3M. Total functional expenses fell by 11.6%, from $5.0M to $4.4M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Illuminating Engineering Society reported a deficit of $555K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1.6M in liabilities against $7.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 21.6%), resulting in net assets of $5.7M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.8M | $4.4M | $7.3M | $1.6M | — | — |
| 2023 | $4.7M | $7.1M | $12.9M | $6.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $5.2M | $8.4M | $12.3M | $1.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $4.3M | $6.4M | $17.6M | $2.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $5.1M | $8.7M | $18.8M | $2.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $8.2M | $9.1M | $22.7M | $2.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $8.9M | $8.2M | $23.0M | $2.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $8.1M | $7.5M | $21.8M | $1.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $8.3M | $6.9M | $20.6M | $717K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $7.1M | $6.6M | $19.5M | $1.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $7.4M | $6.1M | $18.6M | $837K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $7.2M | $5.6M | $17.1M | $749K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $6.9M | $5.5M | $15.6M | $712K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $6.6M | $5.0M | $14.5M | $935K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $3.8M, expenses of $4.4M, and assets of $7.3M (revenue -18.3% year-over-year).
- 2023: Revenue of $4.7M, expenses of $7.1M, and assets of $12.9M (revenue -10.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $5.2M, expenses of $8.4M, and assets of $12.3M (revenue +21.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $4.3M, expenses of $6.4M, and assets of $17.6M (revenue -15.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $5.1M, expenses of $8.7M, and assets of $18.8M (revenue -37.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $8.2M, expenses of $9.1M, and assets of $22.7M (revenue -7.6% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $8.9M, expenses of $8.2M, and assets of $23.0M (revenue +9.6% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $8.1M, expenses of $7.5M, and assets of $21.8M (revenue -3.0% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $8.3M, expenses of $6.9M, and assets of $20.6M (revenue +18.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $7.1M, expenses of $6.6M, and assets of $19.5M (revenue -4.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $7.4M, expenses of $6.1M, and assets of $18.6M (revenue +3.0% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $7.2M, expenses of $5.6M, and assets of $17.1M (revenue +3.8% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $6.9M, expenses of $5.5M, and assets of $15.6M (revenue +4.0% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $6.6M, expenses of $5.0M, and assets of $14.5M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Illuminating Engineering Society:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Illuminating Engineering Society 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.