Institute For Citizens And Scholars
Institute For Citizens And Scholars faces recurring operating deficits and a significant decline in assets over the past decade.
EIN: 210703075 · Princeton, NJ · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $19.9M |
| Total Expenses | $10.5M |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| Net Assets | $8.1M |
| Transparency Score | 60/100 |
Is Institute For Citizens And Scholars Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Institute For Citizens And Scholars directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Institute For Citizens And Scholars
Institute For Citizens And Scholars (EIN: 210703075) is a nonprofit organization based in Princeton, NJ. The organization reported total revenue of $19.9M and total assets of $20.3M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Institute For Citizens And Scholars's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Institute For Citizens And Scholars is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 55 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2024). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -9.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2024)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $6.8M |
| Total Expenses | $10.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-3,698,380 |
| Total Assets | $11.2M |
| Total Liabilities | $3.2M |
| Net Assets | $8.1M |
| Operating Margin | -54.0% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 28.3% |
| Months of Reserves | 12.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2024, Institute For Citizens And Scholars reported a deficit of $3.7M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 12.8 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 28.3% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2012–2024), Institute For Citizens And Scholars's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +0.5% | -5.3% | -23.1% |
| 2023 | -33.5% | +17.9% | -15.6% |
| 2022 | +117.1% | -8.2% | -8.9% |
| 2021 | -43.7% | -21.1% | -21.8% |
| 2020 | -5.7% | -21.6% | -15.2% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1971 |
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 Institute For Citizens And Scholars with a Mission Score of 60 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: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Institute For Citizens And Scholars allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2024)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $3.7M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 28.3%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, which is unusual for an organization with revenues reaching tens of millions. This either indicates that no officers receive compensation or that it is categorized differently, making it difficult to assess leadership costs relative to the organization's size and financial activity.
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 Institute For Citizens And Scholars's IRS 990 filings:
- Recurring operating deficits, such as $3.6M in 202406 and $4.3M in 202306, indicating spending exceeding revenue in multiple periods.
- Significant decline in assets from $47.9M in 201506 to $11.2M in 202406, suggesting a draw-down of reserves or other financial pressures.
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, which may obscure actual leadership costs or compensation structures.
- Fluctuating revenue streams, with a high of $36.6M in 201506 and a low of $4.7M in 202106, indicating potential instability in funding.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Institute For Citizens And Scholars:
- Long operational history with 13 IRS 990 filings, indicating established presence.
- Maintains a substantial asset base ($20.3M latest, $11.2M in 202406) despite declines, providing some financial cushion.
- Periods of strong revenue generation, such as $30.8M in 201806 and $36.6M in 201506, demonstrate capacity for significant funding.
Frequently Asked Questions about Institute For Citizens And Scholars
Is Institute For Citizens And Scholars a legitimate charity?
Institute For Citizens And Scholars (EIN: 210703075) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New Jersey. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 60/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $19.9M. 4 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Institute For Citizens And Scholars spend its money?
Institute For Citizens And Scholars directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This meets the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Institute For Citizens And Scholars tax-deductible?
Institute For Citizens And Scholars is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 210703075). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Institute For Citizens And Scholars's spending goes to programs?
Institute For Citizens And Scholars directs 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Institute For Citizens And Scholars located?
Institute For Citizens And Scholars is headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey and files with the IRS under EIN 210703075.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Institute For Citizens And Scholars have?
Institute For Citizens And Scholars 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 $19.9M in total revenue.
How does the Institute For Citizens And Scholars plan to address its recurring operating deficits, such as the $3.6 million deficit in 202406?
The filings indicate consistent periods where expenses exceed revenue, leading to significant operating deficits. The organization would need to clarify its strategy for achieving financial sustainability, whether through increased fundraising, expense reductions, or reliance on endowment draws.
What caused the substantial decline in assets from $47,989,811 in 201506 to $11,247,713 in 202406?
The significant reduction in assets, over 75% in nine years, suggests either substantial spending from reserves, significant investment losses, or a combination of factors. Further details would be needed to understand the drivers behind this trend.
Why is officer compensation consistently reported as 0% across all available IRS 990 filings?
This consistent reporting is unusual for an organization of this size. It raises questions about whether officers are truly uncompensated or if their compensation is reported under different categories, impacting transparency regarding leadership costs.
What is the detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses to assess spending efficiency?
Without a detailed functional expense breakdown in the provided data, it's challenging to definitively assess how efficiently funds are allocated to programs versus overhead. This information is crucial for evaluating the organization's operational efficiency.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Institute For Citizens And Scholars showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2024), Institute For Citizens And Scholars's revenue has declined by 68.2%, moving from $21.6M to $6.8M. Total assets decreased by 68.9% over the same period, from $36.2M to $11.2M. Total functional expenses fell by 48.4%, from $20.5M to $10.5M. In its most recent filing year (2024), Institute For Citizens And Scholars reported a deficit of $3.7M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $3.2M in liabilities against $11.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 28.3%), resulting in net assets of $8.1M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6.8M | $10.5M | $11.2M | $3.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2023 | $6.8M | $11.1M | $14.6M | $3.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $10.2M | $9.4M | $17.3M | $1.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $4.7M | $10.3M | $19.0M | $2.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $8.4M | $13.1M | $24.3M | $2.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $8.9M | $16.6M | $28.7M | $2.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $30.9M | $24.2M | $41.1M | $7.2M | — | — |
| 2017 | $16.4M | $24.1M | $32.2M | $5.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $19.3M | $26.8M | $41.7M | $6.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $36.6M | $25.5M | $48.0M | $5.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $15.5M | $20.5M | $35.7M | $4.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $21.6M | $17.9M | $39.0M | $2.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $21.6M | $20.5M | $36.2M | $3.8M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2024: Revenue of $6.8M, expenses of $10.5M, and assets of $11.2M (revenue +0.5% year-over-year).
- 2023: Revenue of $6.8M, expenses of $11.1M, and assets of $14.6M (revenue -33.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $10.2M, expenses of $9.4M, and assets of $17.3M (revenue +117.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $4.7M, expenses of $10.3M, and assets of $19.0M (revenue -43.7% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $8.4M, expenses of $13.1M, and assets of $24.3M (revenue -5.7% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $8.9M, expenses of $16.6M, and assets of $28.7M (revenue -71.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $30.9M, expenses of $24.2M, and assets of $41.1M (revenue +88.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $16.4M, expenses of $24.1M, and assets of $32.2M (revenue -14.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $19.3M, expenses of $26.8M, and assets of $41.7M (revenue -47.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $36.6M, expenses of $25.5M, and assets of $48.0M (revenue +137.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $15.5M, expenses of $20.5M, and assets of $35.7M (revenue -28.4% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $21.6M, expenses of $17.9M, and assets of $39.0M (revenue +0.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $21.6M, expenses of $20.5M, and assets of $36.2M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Institute For Citizens And Scholars:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Institute For Citizens And Scholars 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.