National Retail Federation Inc
National Retail Federation Inc. shows strong revenue growth and asset accumulation, with consistent IRS 990 filings.
EIN: 135582627 · Washington, DC · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is National Retail Federation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
National Retail Federation Inc directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About National Retail Federation Inc
National Retail Federation Inc (EIN: 135582627) is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC. The organization reported total revenue of $82.9M and total assets of $75.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of National Retail Federation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
National Retail Federation Inc is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 88 years, with 14 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2024). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 6.0%.
Key Financial Metrics (2024)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $68.6M |
| Total Expenses | $67.2M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$1.5M |
| Total Assets | $55.9M |
| Total Liabilities | $40.1M |
| Net Assets | $15.8M |
| Operating Margin | 2.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 71.8% |
| Months of Reserves | 10.0 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2024, National Retail Federation Inc reported a surplus of $1.5M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 10.0 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 71.8% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 14 years of filings (2011–2024), National Retail Federation Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +11.2% | +3.2% | +19.3% |
| 2023 | +26.7% | +26.5% | +4.4% |
| 2022 | +141.2% | +36.3% | -13.3% |
| 2021 | -66.3% | -33.0% | -14.4% |
| 2020 | +5.6% | -0.3% | +13.8% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1938 |
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 National Retail Federation Inc with a Mission Score of 75 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, National Retail Federation Inc 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 surplus of $1.5M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 71.8%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The provided data consistently reports 0% for Officer Compensation across all listed periods. For an organization with revenues exceeding $80 million and assets over $75 million, this is highly unusual and suggests that executive compensation may be reported under different categories or through related entities, which could obscure a clear understanding of leadership remuneration.
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 National Retail Federation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is atypical for an organization of this size and warrants further scrutiny.
- Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown in the provided summary, limiting full assessment of spending efficiency.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for National Retail Federation Inc:
- Strong revenue growth, increasing from $20,186,074 in 202102 to $68,642,983 in 202402.
- Significant asset accumulation, with assets growing from $44,909,805 in 202202 to $75,734,964 currently, indicating financial stability.
- Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms over 14 periods, demonstrating a commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency.
- Generally positive net income in recent periods (e.g., 202402 revenue of $68,642,983 exceeding expenses of $67,172,037).
Frequently Asked Questions about National Retail Federation Inc
Is National Retail Federation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, National Retail Federation Inc (EIN: 135582627) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does National Retail Federation Inc spend its money?
National Retail Federation Inc directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to National Retail Federation Inc tax-deductible?
National Retail Federation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 135582627). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Why is Officer Compensation consistently reported as 0% on the provided filings, given the organization's size?
This is an unusual reporting practice for an organization of this scale. It suggests that executive compensation might be categorized differently within the 990, paid through a related entity, or structured in a way that doesn't appear as 'Officer Comp' in the summarized data. Further investigation into the full 990 forms would be needed to understand how leadership is compensated.
What is the detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses?
The provided summary data does not offer a detailed breakdown of these expense categories. To fully assess spending efficiency, one would need to review the full IRS 990 forms, specifically Part IX, Statement of Functional Expenses.
How does the organization manage periods where expenses significantly exceed revenue, such as in 202102?
In 202102, expenses ($37,768,720) significantly outpaced revenue ($20,186,074). This could indicate strategic investments, one-time expenditures, or a temporary dip in revenue. The organization's substantial asset base ($51,823,967 in 202102) likely allowed it to cover this deficit without significant financial distress.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for National Retail Federation Inc showing financial trends over 14 years of public records:
Over 14 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2024), National Retail Federation Inc's revenue has grown by 112.1%, moving from $32.4M to $68.6M. Total assets increased by 6.9% over the same period, from $52.3M to $55.9M. Total functional expenses rose by 128.8%, from $29.4M to $67.2M. In its most recent filing year (2024), National Retail Federation Inc reported a surplus of $1.5M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $40.1M in liabilities against $55.9M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 71.8%), resulting in net assets of $15.8M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $68.6M | $67.2M | $55.9M | $40.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2023 | $61.7M | $65.1M | $46.9M | $35.1M | — | — |
| 2022 | $48.7M | $51.5M | $44.9M | $29.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $20.2M | $37.8M | $51.8M | $31.7M | — | — |
| 2020 | $60.0M | $56.4M | $60.6M | $29.3M | — | — |
| 2019 | $56.8M | $56.5M | $53.2M | $21.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $59.9M | $60.5M | $55.3M | $22.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $54.2M | $54.9M | $56.5M | $24.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $54.5M | $53.3M | $52.4M | $25.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $49.6M | $45.1M | $55.9M | $25.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $44.0M | $38.3M | $80.3M | $22.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $38.3M | $35.5M | $64.2M | $17.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $35.5M | $31.5M | $58.3M | $19.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $32.4M | $29.4M | $52.3M | $15.7M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2024: Revenue of $68.6M, expenses of $67.2M, and assets of $55.9M (revenue +11.2% year-over-year).
- 2023: Revenue of $61.7M, expenses of $65.1M, and assets of $46.9M (revenue +26.7% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $48.7M, expenses of $51.5M, and assets of $44.9M (revenue +141.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $20.2M, expenses of $37.8M, and assets of $51.8M (revenue -66.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $60.0M, expenses of $56.4M, and assets of $60.6M (revenue +5.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $56.8M, expenses of $56.5M, and assets of $53.2M (revenue -5.1% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $59.9M, expenses of $60.5M, and assets of $55.3M (revenue +10.6% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $54.2M, expenses of $54.9M, and assets of $56.5M (revenue -0.6% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $54.5M, expenses of $53.3M, and assets of $52.4M (revenue +9.7% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $49.6M, expenses of $45.1M, and assets of $55.9M (revenue +12.8% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $44.0M, expenses of $38.3M, and assets of $80.3M (revenue +14.8% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $38.3M, expenses of $35.5M, and assets of $64.2M (revenue +7.9% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $35.5M, expenses of $31.5M, and assets of $58.3M (revenue +9.8% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $32.4M, expenses of $29.4M, and assets of $52.3M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for National Retail Federation Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for National Retail Federation 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.