Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation
Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation shows stable assets and no reported officer compensation, but experienced a significant revenue decline in 2022 and expenses exceeded revenue in 2023.
EIN: 205012202 · Wilmington, DE · NTEE: U31 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $4.7M |
| Total Expenses | $1.2M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $0 |
| Net Assets | $5.9M |
| Transparency Score | 80/100 |
Is Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation
Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation (EIN: 205012202) is a nonprofit organization based in Wilmington, DE, classified under NTEE code U31. The organization reported total revenue of $4.7M and total assets of $5.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 20 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -9.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $448K |
| Total Expenses | $1.2M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-718,033 |
| Total Assets | $5.9M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $5.9M |
| Operating Margin | -160.2% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 60.7 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation reported a deficit of $718K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 60.7 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -195.0% | +6.8% | -28.9% |
| 2021 | -47.3% | +18.1% | +2.8% |
| 2020 | +90.4% | -2.9% | +24.1% |
| 2019 | +53.6% | +38.2% | +22.9% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1200 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2006 |
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 Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation with a Mission Score of 80 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: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% 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 $718K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as $0 across all available filings, suggesting either a volunteer leadership structure or compensation is covered through other non-officer categories, which is a positive indicator for direct mission-related spending.
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 Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Negative revenue reported in 2022 (-$1,394,039), indicating significant financial challenges or unusual accounting events.
- Expenses ($1,166,348) significantly exceeded revenue ($448,315) in 2023, suggesting reliance on reserves or other funding sources.
- Significant decrease in assets from $9,308,691 in 2021 to $5,897,493 in 2023, warranting further investigation into the cause.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for mission-related activities.
- Historically low liabilities, often $0 or $1, demonstrating strong financial management and minimal debt.
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (10 filings), indicating a commitment to transparency and compliance.
- Maintains substantial assets ($5,897,493 in 2023) providing a strong financial cushion despite recent revenue fluctuations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation
Is Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation a legitimate charity?
Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation (EIN: 205012202) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Delaware. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 80/100. It has 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $4.7M. 3 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation spend its money?
Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation tax-deductible?
Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 205012202). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation CEO make?
Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation's highest-compensated officer earns $0 annually. The organization reported $4.7M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 80/100 (Excellent), Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation is above average for NTEE category U31 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation located?
Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation is headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware and files with the IRS under EIN 205012202. It is classified under NTEE code U31.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation have?
Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation has 10 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 $4.7M in total revenue.
Why was revenue negative in 2022?
The filing for Period 202212 shows a revenue of - $1,394,039. This could be due to significant investment losses or a major asset write-down, which would warrant further investigation into the organization's financial statements.
How does the organization cover its expenses without officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests that key leadership roles may be filled by volunteers, or compensation is structured in a way that it's not reported under 'officer compensation' on the 990, potentially through a related entity or as general staff salaries.
What caused the significant drop in assets from $9,308,691 in 2021 to $5,897,493 in 2023?
The substantial decrease in assets over two years, particularly following the negative revenue in 2022, suggests potential investment losses, significant capital expenditures, or a draw-down of reserves to cover operational costs.
Is the organization financially sustainable given the 2023 revenue vs. expense figures?
In 2023, expenses ($1,166,348) significantly exceeded revenue ($448,315). While the organization has substantial assets ($5,897,493), a sustained trend of expenses outstripping revenue could impact long-term financial health if not addressed.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation's revenue has declined by 68.1%, moving from $1.4M to $448K. Total assets increased by 21.9% over the same period, from $4.8M to $5.9M. Total functional expenses rose by 512.2%, from $191K to $1.2M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation reported a deficit of $718K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $5.9M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $5.9M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $448K | $1.2M | $5.9M | $1 | — | — |
| 2022 | $-1,394,039 | $1.3M | $6.6M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.5M | $1.2M | $9.3M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.8M | $1.0M | $9.1M | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $1.5M | $1.1M | $7.3M | $0 | — | — |
| 2015 | $953K | $768K | $5.9M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.3M | $647K | $5.8M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $814K | $446K | $5.3M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $695K | $625K | $4.9M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.4M | $191K | $4.8M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $448K, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $5.9M.
- 2022: Revenue of $-1,394,039, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $6.6M (revenue -195.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $9.3M (revenue -47.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.8M, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $9.1M (revenue +90.4% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $7.3M (revenue +53.6% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $953K, expenses of $768K, and assets of $5.9M (revenue -27.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $647K, and assets of $5.8M (revenue +60.4% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $814K, expenses of $446K, and assets of $5.3M (revenue +17.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $695K, expenses of $625K, and assets of $4.9M (revenue -50.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $191K, and assets of $4.8M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation 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.