Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust
Metropolitan Opera Endowment Trust shows stable assets but recent significant deficit spending.
EIN: 136071129 · New York, NY · NTEE: A116 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust
Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust (EIN: 136071129) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY, classified under NTEE code A116. The organization reported total revenue of $24.1M and total assets of $42.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 66 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -9.0%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.2M |
| Total Expenses | $4.4M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-3,188,827 |
| Total Assets | $45.9M |
| Total Liabilities | $56K |
| Net Assets | $45.9M |
| Operating Margin | -259.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 124.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust reported a deficit of $3.2M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 124.8 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.1% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.0%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -6.7% | +546.0% | -2.4% |
| 2022 | +13.1% | -62.2% | -4.5% |
| 2021 | -45.2% | +75.5% | +7.1% |
| 2020 | +77.8% | +13.2% | +2.6% |
| 2019 | -33.2% | -16.7% | +1.6% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1960 |
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 Centennial Fund Endowment Trust 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: 5%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 5%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 5%. With 90% 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 $3.2M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that executive leadership is either unpaid or compensated through a related entity, which suggests a highly efficient use of funds for administrative overhead within the trust itself.
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 Centennial Fund Endowment Trust's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant deficit spending in 2023 ($4.4M expenses vs $1.2M revenue), which could indicate drawing down the endowment or substantial one-time costs.
- Fluctuating revenue and expenses over the past decade, with expenses exceeding revenue in multiple years (e.g., 2023, 2021, 2017, 2015, 2014).
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating very low administrative overhead for executive salaries.
- Maintained substantial asset base, consistently above $40 million, demonstrating long-term financial stability as an endowment.
- Clear focus as an endowment fund (NTEE A116), suggesting a dedicated purpose to support the Metropolitan Opera.
Frequently Asked Questions about Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust
Is Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust (EIN: 136071129) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust spend its money?
Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust tax-deductible?
Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 136071129). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What are the specific distributions made from the endowment to the Metropolitan Opera?
The provided data does not detail the specific amounts or frequency of distributions made from the endowment to the Metropolitan Opera. Further investigation into their full IRS Form 990 would be needed to understand the direct impact of the endowment's activities on the opera.
Why did expenses significantly exceed revenue in 2023 ($4.4M vs $1.2M)?
The data shows a substantial deficit in 2023. This could be due to a planned distribution to the Metropolitan Opera, significant investment losses, or other one-time expenses. Without more detailed financial statements, the exact reason for this large discrepancy is unclear.
How does the trust manage its investment portfolio to sustain its endowment?
The provided summary data does not offer insights into the trust's investment strategies or portfolio performance beyond the reported revenue and asset values. Given its role as an endowment, investment management is crucial for its long-term sustainability.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust's revenue has declined by 67.7%, moving from $3.8M to $1.2M. Total assets decreased by 26.5% over the same period, from $62.5M to $45.9M. Total functional expenses fell by 63.6%, from $12.1M to $4.4M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust reported a deficit of $3.2M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $56K in liabilities against $45.9M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.1%), resulting in net assets of $45.9M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.2M | $4.4M | $45.9M | $56K | — | — |
| 2022 | $1.3M | $684K | $47.1M | $36K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.2M | $1.8M | $49.3M | $108K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.1M | $1.0M | $46.0M | $63K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.2M | $910K | $44.8M | $71K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.8M | $1.1M | $44.1M | $24K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $1.9M | $2.2M | $43.0M | $49K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $4.4M | $2.3M | $43.3M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.4M | $2.8M | $41.1M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.5M | $4.8M | $42.8M | $60K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $5.0M | $13.9M | $44.3M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $9.7M | $13.0M | $55.2M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $3.8M | $12.1M | $62.5M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $4.4M, and assets of $45.9M (revenue -6.7% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $684K, and assets of $47.1M (revenue +13.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $49.3M (revenue -45.2% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.1M, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $46.0M (revenue +77.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $910K, and assets of $44.8M (revenue -33.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $44.1M (revenue -4.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $43.0M (revenue -57.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $4.4M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $43.3M (revenue +224.7% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $41.1M (revenue -11.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $4.8M, and assets of $42.8M (revenue -69.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $5.0M, expenses of $13.9M, and assets of $44.3M (revenue -48.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $9.7M, expenses of $13.0M, and assets of $55.2M (revenue +154.4% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $3.8M, expenses of $12.1M, and assets of $62.5M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Metropolitan Opera Centennial Fund Endowment Trust 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.