Metropolitan Opera Association Inc
Metropolitan Opera consistently operates with expenses exceeding revenue, reporting zero officer compensation.
EIN: 131624087 · New York, NY · NTEE: A6A0 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $524.6M |
| Total Expenses | $332.3M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Net Assets | $219.0M |
| Transparency Score | 65/100 |
Is Metropolitan Opera Association Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Metropolitan Opera Association Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Metropolitan Opera Association Inc
Metropolitan Opera Association Inc (EIN: 131624087) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY, classified under NTEE code A6A0. The organization reported total revenue of $524.6M and total assets of $466.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Metropolitan Opera Association Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Metropolitan Opera Association Inc is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 86 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -1.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $303.1M |
| Total Expenses | $332.3M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-29,167,543 |
| Total Assets | $506.5M |
| Total Liabilities | $287.5M |
| Net Assets | $219.0M |
| Operating Margin | -9.6% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 56.8% |
| Months of Reserves | 18.3 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, Metropolitan Opera Association Inc reported a deficit of $29.2M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 18.3 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 56.8% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Metropolitan Opera Association Inc's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +7.6% | +5.4% | -5.6% |
| 2022 | +72.0% | +138.7% | -7.3% |
| 2021 | -44.4% | -49.9% | +19.8% |
| 2020 | -4.2% | -16.0% | +6.7% |
| 2019 | -1.6% | +6.3% | +2.4% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1200 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1940 |
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 Metropolitan Opera Association Inc with a Mission Score of 65 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, Metropolitan Opera Association 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 $29.2M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 56.8%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings is highly unusual for an organization of this scale and revenue, suggesting either a reporting anomaly or that executive compensation is categorized differently, which hinders a clear assessment of executive pay relative to the organization's size.
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 Metropolitan Opera Association Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size and could indicate a lack of transparency in executive pay disclosure.
- Frequent operational deficits where expenses exceed revenues, as seen in 202307 and 202207, suggesting potential reliance on non-operating income or reserves.
- Significant liabilities relative to assets, with liabilities at $287,496,622 against assets of $506,459,983 in 202307, indicating a considerable debt burden.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Metropolitan Opera Association Inc:
- Substantial asset base, reaching $506,459,983 in 202307, providing financial stability and capacity.
- Significant revenue generation, consistently around $300 million annually (excluding the pandemic dip), demonstrating strong public and donor support.
- Resilience demonstrated by recovery in revenue and activity post-pandemic, with revenue increasing from $163,754,215 in 202107 to $303,083,984 in 202307.
Frequently Asked Questions about Metropolitan Opera Association Inc
Is Metropolitan Opera Association Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Metropolitan Opera Association Inc (EIN: 131624087) some concerns. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Metropolitan Opera Association Inc spend its money?
Metropolitan Opera Association Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Metropolitan Opera Association Inc tax-deductible?
Metropolitan Opera Association Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 131624087). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Metropolitan Opera Association Inc's spending goes to programs?
Metropolitan Opera Association Inc directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Metropolitan Opera Association Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 65/100 (Good), Metropolitan Opera Association Inc is above average for NTEE category A6A0 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Metropolitan Opera Association Inc located?
Metropolitan Opera Association Inc is headquartered in New York, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 131624087. It is classified under NTEE code A6A0.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Metropolitan Opera Association Inc have?
Metropolitan Opera Association 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 $524.6M in total revenue.
How does the Metropolitan Opera Association Inc. consistently cover its operational deficits, given that expenses frequently exceed revenues (e.g., $332M expenses vs. $303M revenue in 202307)?
The organization likely relies on its substantial asset base, endowment drawdowns, or other non-operating income sources to cover the gaps between its operating revenues and expenses.
Why is officer compensation consistently reported as 0% across all IRS 990 filings for an organization with over $300 million in annual revenue?
This could be due to various reasons, such as compensation being reported under different categories (e.g., 'salaries and wages' for all employees, without specific officer breakdown), officers being compensated by a related entity, or a specific reporting method. It warrants further investigation for full transparency.
What is the long-term strategy for managing the significant liabilities, which were $287,496,622 in 202307, relative to the organization's assets?
Managing these liabilities likely involves a combination of debt restructuring, strategic asset management, and consistent fundraising efforts to maintain financial stability and liquidity.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Metropolitan Opera Association Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Metropolitan Opera Association Inc's revenue has declined by 16.3%, moving from $362.1M to $303.1M. Total assets increased by 23.3% over the same period, from $410.7M to $506.5M. Total functional expenses rose by 3.5%, from $321.0M to $332.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Metropolitan Opera Association Inc reported a deficit of $29.2M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $287.5M in liabilities against $506.5M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 56.8%), resulting in net assets of $219.0M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $303.1M | $332.3M | $506.5M | $287.5M | — | — |
| 2022 | $281.6M | $315.1M | $536.2M | $304.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $163.8M | $132.0M | $578.2M | $337.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $294.5M | $263.3M | $482.8M | $404.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $307.5M | $313.4M | $452.4M | $349.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $312.5M | $294.8M | $442.0M | $294.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $309.5M | $298.5M | $427.1M | $290.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $267.6M | $292.4M | $412.7M | $318.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $335.3M | $309.1M | $465.4M | $295.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $288.1M | $312.9M | $429.5M | $273.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $312.0M | $324.3M | $429.8M | $248.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $289.2M | $317.4M | $379.8M | $271.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $362.1M | $321.0M | $410.7M | $216.3M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $303.1M, expenses of $332.3M, and assets of $506.5M (revenue +7.6% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $281.6M, expenses of $315.1M, and assets of $536.2M (revenue +72.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $163.8M, expenses of $132.0M, and assets of $578.2M (revenue -44.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $294.5M, expenses of $263.3M, and assets of $482.8M (revenue -4.2% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $307.5M, expenses of $313.4M, and assets of $452.4M (revenue -1.6% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $312.5M, expenses of $294.8M, and assets of $442.0M (revenue +1.0% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $309.5M, expenses of $298.5M, and assets of $427.1M (revenue +15.6% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $267.6M, expenses of $292.4M, and assets of $412.7M (revenue -20.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $335.3M, expenses of $309.1M, and assets of $465.4M (revenue +16.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $288.1M, expenses of $312.9M, and assets of $429.5M (revenue -7.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $312.0M, expenses of $324.3M, and assets of $429.8M (revenue +7.9% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $289.2M, expenses of $317.4M, and assets of $379.8M (revenue -20.1% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $362.1M, expenses of $321.0M, and assets of $410.7M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Metropolitan Opera Association Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Metropolitan Opera Association 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.