Open Source Election Technology Institute
OSET Institute faces financial volatility with fluctuating revenues and increasing liabilities.
EIN: 208743186 · Portland, OR · NTEE: B99 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $259K |
| Total Expenses | $243K |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| Net Assets | $-95,664 |
| Transparency Score | 65/100 |
Is Open Source Election Technology Institute Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Open Source Election Technology Institute directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Open Source Election Technology Institute
Open Source Election Technology Institute (EIN: 208743186) is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, OR, classified under NTEE code B99. The organization reported total revenue of $259K and total assets of $102K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Open Source Election Technology Institute's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Open Source Election Technology Institute is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 13 years, with 14 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2010–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -4.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $218K |
| Total Expenses | $243K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-24,585 |
| Total Assets | $53K |
| Total Liabilities | $149K |
| Net Assets | $-95,664 |
| Operating Margin | -11.3% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 280.2% |
| Months of Reserves | 2.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: D
In 2023, Open Source Election Technology Institute reported a deficit of $25K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 2.6 months of operating reserves (limited), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 280.2% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 14 years of filings (2010–2023), Open Source Election Technology Institute's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -61.9% | -77.7% | -42.2% |
| 2022 | -53.2% | +81.9% | -84.9% |
| 2021 | +462.7% | +90.4% | +3251.7% |
| 2020 | -2.3% | +40.1% | +997.0% |
| 2019 | +37.7% | +36.2% | -55.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2013 |
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 Open Source Election Technology Institute 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: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Open Source Election Technology Institute allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $25K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 280.2%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries or benefits are paid to its officers, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size and revenue fluctuations.
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 Open Source Election Technology Institute's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant financial volatility with large swings in revenue and expenses year-over-year.
- Expenses frequently exceed revenue, as seen in 2023 ($242,526 expenses vs. $217,941 revenue) and 2022 ($1,087,276 expenses vs. $571,710 revenue).
- Increasing liabilities, reaching $148,762 in 2023, which significantly exceeds assets ($53,098) in the same period.
- Negative net assets in 2023 (Assets $53,098 - Liabilities $148,762 = -$95,664).
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Open Source Election Technology Institute:
- Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating transparency.
- 0% officer compensation reported across all available filings, indicating resources are not used for executive pay.
- Significant revenue generation in some years, such as $1,220,538 in 2021, showing capacity for large-scale funding.
Frequently Asked Questions about Open Source Election Technology Institute
Is Open Source Election Technology Institute a legitimate charity?
Open Source Election Technology Institute (EIN: 208743186) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Oregon. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 65/100. It has 14 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $259K. 4 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: D.
How does Open Source Election Technology Institute spend its money?
Open Source Election Technology Institute directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This meets the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Open Source Election Technology Institute tax-deductible?
Open Source Election Technology Institute is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 208743186). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Open Source Election Technology Institute's spending goes to programs?
Open Source Election Technology Institute directs 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Open Source Election Technology Institute compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 65/100 (Good), Open Source Election Technology Institute is above average for NTEE category B99 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Open Source Election Technology Institute located?
Open Source Election Technology Institute is headquartered in Portland, Oregon and files with the IRS under EIN 208743186. It is classified under NTEE code B99.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Open Source Election Technology Institute have?
Open Source Election Technology Institute has 14 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 $259K in total revenue.
Is OSET Institute a good charity?
OSET Institute demonstrates a commitment to its mission by not paying officer compensation, which is commendable. However, its financial volatility, with expenses frequently exceeding revenue (e.g., $242,526 expenses vs. $217,941 revenue in 2023) and growing liabilities ($148,762 in 2023), raises concerns about long-term sustainability. A more detailed breakdown of how funds are spent on programs versus overhead would provide a clearer picture of its effectiveness.
Why are liabilities so high in recent years?
The liabilities have significantly increased, reaching $148,762 in 2023, compared to $0 in 2016. This substantial increase, especially when assets are lower ($53,098 in 2023), suggests potential financial strain or significant short-term obligations that warrant further investigation.
How does the organization manage its financial fluctuations?
The organization experiences considerable swings in revenue, from a peak of $1,220,538 in 2021 to $217,941 in 2023. Managing such volatility typically requires robust financial reserves or a very flexible operational model. The recent trend of expenses exceeding revenue indicates a potential reliance on prior year surpluses or future funding commitments.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Open Source Election Technology Institute showing financial trends over 14 years of public records:
Over 14 years of IRS 990 filings (2010–2023), Open Source Election Technology Institute's revenue has declined by 44.8%, moving from $395K to $218K. Total assets increased by 54.2% over the same period, from $34K to $53K. Total functional expenses fell by 46.6%, from $454K to $243K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Open Source Election Technology Institute reported a deficit of $25K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $149K in liabilities against $53K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 280.2%), resulting in net assets of $-95,664.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $218K | $243K | $53K | $149K | — | — |
| 2022 | $572K | $1.1M | $92K | $90K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.2M | $598K | $607K | $90K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $217K | $314K | $18K | $123K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $222K | $224K | $2K | $10K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $161K | $164K | $4K | $10K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $56K | $72K | $7K | $10K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $371K | $375K | $12K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $265K | $297K | $16K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $467K | $547K | $48K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $298K | $174K | $128K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $236K | $256K | $3K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $137K | $148K | $23K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2010 | $395K | $454K | $34K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $218K, expenses of $243K, and assets of $53K (revenue -61.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $572K, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $92K (revenue -53.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $598K, and assets of $607K (revenue +462.7% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $217K, expenses of $314K, and assets of $18K (revenue -2.3% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $222K, expenses of $224K, and assets of $2K (revenue +37.7% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $161K, expenses of $164K, and assets of $4K (revenue +186.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $56K, expenses of $72K, and assets of $7K (revenue -84.8% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $371K, expenses of $375K, and assets of $12K (revenue +40.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $265K, expenses of $297K, and assets of $16K (revenue -43.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $467K, expenses of $547K, and assets of $48K (revenue +56.4% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $298K, expenses of $174K, and assets of $128K (revenue +26.7% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $236K, expenses of $256K, and assets of $3K (revenue +72.3% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $137K, expenses of $148K, and assets of $23K (revenue -65.4% year-over-year).
- 2010: Revenue of $395K, expenses of $454K, and assets of $34K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Open Source Election Technology Institute:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Open Source Election Technology 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.