Paleontological Research Institution
Paleontological Research Institution maintains strong asset base and positive operating margins with no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 150554849 · Ithaca, NY · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $2.4M |
| Total Expenses | $3.1M |
| Program Spending | 75% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $2 |
| Net Assets | $5.6M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Paleontological Research Institution Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Paleontological Research Institution directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Paleontological Research Institution
Paleontological Research Institution (EIN: 150554849) is a nonprofit organization based in Ithaca, NY. The organization reported total revenue of $2.4M and total assets of $7.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Paleontological Research Institution's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Paleontological Research Institution is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 75 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 5.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $3.4M |
| Total Expenses | $3.1M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$262K |
| Total Assets | $8.7M |
| Total Liabilities | $3.1M |
| Net Assets | $5.6M |
| Operating Margin | 7.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 35.4% |
| Months of Reserves | 33.7 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Paleontological Research Institution reported a surplus of $262K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 33.7 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 35.4% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Paleontological Research Institution's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -24.6% | +2.4% | +1.0% |
| 2022 | +57.8% | +11.3% | +15.0% |
| 2021 | +0.0% | -10.4% | +0.2% |
| 2020 | -5.0% | -6.8% | -7.8% |
| 2019 | -1.3% | +11.6% | -4.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2800 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1951 |
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 Paleontological Research Institution 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: 15%
- programs: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Paleontological Research Institution 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 surplus of $262K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 35.4%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Paleontological Research Institution consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size with annual revenues exceeding $2 million. This suggests either a volunteer-led executive structure or that executive compensation is reported under different expense categories, warranting further investigation for full transparency.
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 Paleontological Research Institution's IRS 990 filings:
- Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided summary data, limiting granular spending efficiency analysis.
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported across all filings for an organization of this size, which is unusual and may obscure how leadership is compensated or structured.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Paleontological Research Institution:
- Strong and growing asset base, with assets of $8,743,354 significantly exceeding liabilities of $3,097,856 in 202306.
- Generally positive operating margins, with revenues exceeding expenses in most recent years (e.g., $3,370,824 revenue vs. $3,108,807 expenses in 202306).
- Consistent IRS 990 filing history over 13 periods, indicating good compliance and transparency.
- Healthy asset-to-liability ratio, demonstrating strong financial solvency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Paleontological Research Institution
Is Paleontological Research Institution a legitimate charity?
Paleontological Research Institution (EIN: 150554849) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 85/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $2.4M. 2 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does Paleontological Research Institution spend its money?
Paleontological Research Institution directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Paleontological Research Institution tax-deductible?
Paleontological Research Institution is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 150554849). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Paleontological Research Institution CEO make?
Paleontological Research Institution's highest-compensated officer earns $2 annually. The organization reported $2.4M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Paleontological Research Institution's spending goes to programs?
Paleontological Research Institution directs 75% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Paleontological Research Institution located?
Paleontological Research Institution is headquartered in Ithaca, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 150554849.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Paleontological Research Institution have?
Paleontological Research Institution has 13 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 $2.4M in total revenue.
Is Paleontological Research Institution a good charity?
Based on the available data, PRI appears to be a financially stable organization with a strong asset base and generally positive operating margins. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation is a unique characteristic that could indicate a highly efficient, volunteer-driven leadership, or it may warrant further inquiry into how executive leadership is compensated if at all. Their consistent filing history and positive financial trends suggest good stewardship.
How does PRI manage its executive compensation?
All available IRS 990 filings for PRI report 0% officer compensation. This is highly unusual for an organization of its size and suggests that executive leadership may be entirely volunteer-based, or that compensation is categorized differently within their financial statements, which would require a deeper dive into their full 990 forms to understand.
Has PRI's revenue been stable?
PRI's revenue has fluctuated over the past few years, with a peak of $4,472,998 in 202206, followed by $3,370,824 in 202306. While there are variations, the organization has consistently maintained revenues above $2 million for the past decade, indicating a generally stable funding base.
What is PRI's asset-to-liability ratio?
In the latest filing (202306), PRI's assets were $8,743,354 and liabilities were $3,097,856, resulting in an asset-to-liability ratio of approximately 2.82:1. This indicates a very healthy financial position, with assets significantly exceeding liabilities.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Paleontological Research Institution showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Paleontological Research Institution's revenue has grown by 90.1%, moving from $1.8M to $3.4M. Total assets decreased by 6% over the same period, from $9.3M to $8.7M. Total functional expenses rose by 20%, from $2.6M to $3.1M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Paleontological Research Institution reported a surplus of $262K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $3.1M in liabilities against $8.7M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 35.4%), resulting in net assets of $5.6M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.4M | $3.1M | $8.7M | $3.1M | — | — |
| 2022 | $4.5M | $3.0M | $8.7M | $3.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $2.8M | $2.7M | $7.5M | $3.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.8M | $3.0M | $7.5M | $3.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $3.0M | $3.3M | $8.1M | $3.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $3.0M | $2.9M | $8.5M | $3.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $2.6M | $2.6M | $8.3M | $3.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $2.4M | $2.5M | $8.4M | $3.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $2.4M | $2.4M | $8.3M | $3.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.2M | $2.7M | $8.5M | $4.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $3.1M | $2.6M | $9.1M | $4.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.6M | $2.4M | $8.5M | $4.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.8M | $2.6M | $9.3M | $4.0M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $3.4M, expenses of $3.1M, and assets of $8.7M (revenue -24.6% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $4.5M, expenses of $3.0M, and assets of $8.7M (revenue +57.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $2.8M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $7.5M (revenue +0.0% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.8M, expenses of $3.0M, and assets of $7.5M (revenue -5.0% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $3.3M, and assets of $8.1M (revenue -1.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $2.9M, and assets of $8.5M (revenue +14.6% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $8.3M (revenue +10.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $2.4M, expenses of $2.5M, and assets of $8.4M (revenue -0.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $2.4M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $8.3M (revenue +7.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $8.5M (revenue -28.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $3.1M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $9.1M (revenue +93.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $8.5M (revenue -9.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $9.3M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Paleontological Research Institution:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Paleontological Research Institution 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.