Natural Resource Governance Institute
Natural Resource Governance Institute reports consistent operational deficits in recent years despite healthy asset base.
EIN: 204451390 · New York, NY · NTEE: Q02 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Natural Resource Governance Institute Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Natural Resource Governance Institute directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Natural Resource Governance Institute
Natural Resource Governance Institute (EIN: 204451390) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY, classified under NTEE code Q02. The organization reported total revenue of $13.6M and total assets of $9.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Natural Resource Governance Institute's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Natural Resource Governance Institute is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 19 years, with 14 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2010–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 0.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $10.7M |
| Total Expenses | $13.8M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-3,063,305 |
| Total Assets | $10.2M |
| Total Liabilities | $4.5M |
| Net Assets | $5.7M |
| Operating Margin | -28.6% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 43.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 8.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Natural Resource Governance Institute reported a deficit of $3.1M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 8.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 43.9% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 14 years of filings (2010–2023), Natural Resource Governance Institute's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +4.1% | +15.2% | -14.4% |
| 2022 | +14.0% | +5.8% | -8.2% |
| 2021 | -43.8% | +3.3% | -7.7% |
| 2020 | +26.8% | -17.3% | +49.9% |
| 2019 | -24.1% | -18.5% | -8.9% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2007 |
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 Natural Resource Governance Institute 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: 15%
- programs: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Natural Resource Governance Institute allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% 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 $3.1M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 43.9%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Natural Resource Governance Institute consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization with annual revenues exceeding $10 million and suggests either a fully volunteer executive leadership or compensation structured in a non-officer capacity.
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 Natural Resource Governance Institute's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operational deficits in recent years (2021-2023), with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Unusually high revenue volatility, making future financial planning potentially challenging.
- 0% reported officer compensation, which is atypical for an organization of this scale and warrants further scrutiny into leadership compensation structures.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Natural Resource Governance Institute:
- Maintains a healthy asset base, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities, indicating strong solvency.
- Historically strong revenue periods, such as $22.4M in 2015 and $16M in 2020, demonstrating capacity for significant fundraising.
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, which, if truly volunteer-led, indicates a highly dedicated leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions about Natural Resource Governance Institute
Is Natural Resource Governance Institute a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Natural Resource Governance Institute (EIN: 204451390) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Natural Resource Governance Institute spend its money?
Natural Resource Governance Institute directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Natural Resource Governance Institute tax-deductible?
Natural Resource Governance Institute is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 204451390). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How does NRGI sustain operations with consistent revenue deficits in recent years?
NRGI has reported expenses exceeding revenue in 2023 ($13.7M vs $10.7M), 2022 ($11.9M vs $10.2M), and 2021 ($11.2M vs $9.0M). This suggests they may be drawing from accumulated reserves or restricted funds from prior periods, such as the significant surplus in 2020 ($16M revenue vs $10.9M expenses).
What is the actual compensation structure for NRGI's leadership given 0% officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation is highly unusual for an organization of this size. It could indicate that leadership roles are filled by volunteers, or that compensation for key management is categorized differently (e.g., as staff salaries rather than officer compensation) or paid through a related entity, which would require further investigation of their detailed financial statements.
What is the breakdown of NRGI's program, administrative, and fundraising expenses?
The provided data does not offer a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories. This information is crucial for a comprehensive assessment of spending efficiency and would typically be found in Part IX of the IRS Form 990.
What is the source of NRGI's significant revenue fluctuations?
NRGI's revenue has varied significantly, from a high of $22,437,979 in 2015 to $10,701,192 in 2023. Understanding the nature of their funding (e.g., grants, individual donations, government contracts) and the stability of these sources is important for assessing future financial predictability.
Are NRGI's liabilities manageable relative to its assets?
NRGI's liabilities have fluctuated but generally remain well below its assets. For example, in 2023, liabilities were $4,462,586 against assets of $10,162,466, indicating a healthy asset-to-liability ratio and suggesting good financial solvency.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Natural Resource Governance Institute showing financial trends over 14 years of public records:
Over 14 years of IRS 990 filings (2010–2023), Natural Resource Governance Institute's revenue has grown by 1%, moving from $10.6M to $10.7M. Total assets increased by 21% over the same period, from $8.4M to $10.2M. Total functional expenses rose by 28.4%, from $10.7M to $13.8M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Natural Resource Governance Institute reported a deficit of $3.1M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $4.5M in liabilities against $10.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 43.9%), resulting in net assets of $5.7M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $10.7M | $13.8M | $10.2M | $4.5M | — | — |
| 2022 | $10.3M | $12.0M | $11.9M | $3.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $9.0M | $11.3M | $12.9M | $2.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $16.0M | $10.9M | $14.0M | $1.1M | — | — |
| 2019 | $12.7M | $13.2M | $9.3M | $1.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $16.7M | $16.2M | $10.3M | $1.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $17.2M | $18.6M | $10.2M | $2.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $15.0M | $18.5M | $11.6M | $2.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $22.4M | $17.9M | $14.4M | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $14.4M | $16.6M | $10.3M | $1.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $21.6M | $13.7M | $12.6M | $2.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $10.6M | $13.8M | $6.6M | $3.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $13.0M | $13.4M | $7.9M | $2.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2010 | $10.6M | $10.7M | $8.4M | $2.1M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $10.7M, expenses of $13.8M, and assets of $10.2M (revenue +4.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $10.3M, expenses of $12.0M, and assets of $11.9M (revenue +14.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $9.0M, expenses of $11.3M, and assets of $12.9M (revenue -43.8% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $16.0M, expenses of $10.9M, and assets of $14.0M (revenue +26.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $12.7M, expenses of $13.2M, and assets of $9.3M (revenue -24.1% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $16.7M, expenses of $16.2M, and assets of $10.3M (revenue -3.0% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $17.2M, expenses of $18.6M, and assets of $10.2M (revenue +14.3% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $15.0M, expenses of $18.5M, and assets of $11.6M (revenue -33.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $22.4M, expenses of $17.9M, and assets of $14.4M (revenue +55.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $14.4M, expenses of $16.6M, and assets of $10.3M (revenue -33.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $21.6M, expenses of $13.7M, and assets of $12.6M (revenue +103.9% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $10.6M, expenses of $13.8M, and assets of $6.6M (revenue -18.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $13.0M, expenses of $13.4M, and assets of $7.9M (revenue +22.6% year-over-year).
- 2010: Revenue of $10.6M, expenses of $10.7M, and assets of $8.4M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Natural Resource Governance Institute 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.