Public Agenda Inc
Public Agenda Inc. faces significant operating deficits in recent years, drawing down assets.
EIN: 132847587 · New York, NY · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $6.0M |
| Total Expenses | $2.9M |
| Program Spending | 75% |
| Net Assets | $4.9M |
| Transparency Score | 70/100 |
Is Public Agenda Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Public Agenda Inc directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Public Agenda Inc
Public Agenda Inc (EIN: 132847587) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY. The organization reported total revenue of $6.0M and total assets of $4.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Public Agenda Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Public Agenda Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 39 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -6.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.3M |
| Total Expenses | $2.9M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-1,569,851 |
| Total Assets | $5.2M |
| Total Liabilities | $249K |
| Net Assets | $4.9M |
| Operating Margin | -117.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 4.8% |
| Months of Reserves | 21.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Public Agenda Inc reported a deficit of $1.6M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 21.4 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 4.8% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Public Agenda Inc's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -57.5% | -2.4% | -19.2% |
| 2022 | -15.4% | -8.7% | -16.9% |
| 2021 | +0.8% | +5.0% | +13.3% |
| 2020 | +93.4% | +106.0% | +17.4% |
| 2019 | -66.1% | -51.9% | +9.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1987 |
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 Public Agenda Inc with a Mission Score of 70 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, Public Agenda Inc 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 $1.6M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 4.8%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported at 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers received compensation from the organization, which is a strong positive for directing funds to mission-related activities.
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 Public Agenda Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant operating deficit in 202306 ($1,569,851)
- Substantial decline in revenue from $3.1M in 202206 to $1.3M in 202306
- Consistent decline in assets from a peak of $7.7M in 202106 to $5.1M in 202306
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Public Agenda Inc:
- Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating strong financial stewardship at the executive level
- History of significant revenue generation in prior years (e.g., $5.5M in 201812, $5.4M in 201512)
- Maintained positive net assets despite recent deficits
Frequently Asked Questions about Public Agenda Inc
Is Public Agenda Inc a legitimate charity?
Public Agenda Inc (EIN: 132847587) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 70/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $6.0M. 3 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Public Agenda Inc spend its money?
Public Agenda Inc directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Public Agenda Inc tax-deductible?
Public Agenda Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 132847587). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Public Agenda Inc's spending goes to programs?
Public Agenda Inc directs 75% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Public Agenda Inc located?
Public Agenda Inc is headquartered in New York, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 132847587.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Public Agenda Inc have?
Public Agenda Inc 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 $6.0M in total revenue.
Is Public Agenda Inc. experiencing a sustainable financial model given recent deficits?
The organization has reported significant operating deficits in the 202306 and 202206 periods, with expenses exceeding revenue by $1,569,851 and $136,704 respectively. This trend raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of its financial model without increased revenue or reduced expenses.
What is the cause of the substantial drop in revenue from $3,136,414 in 202206 to $1,333,010 in 202306?
The provided data does not specify the reasons for the sharp decline in revenue. Further investigation into the organization's funding sources and grant cycles would be necessary to understand this significant change.
How does the organization plan to address the decline in assets from $7,705,039 in 202106 to $5,175,198 in 202306?
The consistent operating deficits have led to a reduction in assets. The organization would need to outline strategies for revenue generation or expense management to reverse this trend and rebuild its financial reserves.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Public Agenda Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Public Agenda Inc's revenue has declined by 56.5%, moving from $3.1M to $1.3M. Total assets increased by 64% over the same period, from $3.2M to $5.2M. Total functional expenses fell by 13.7%, from $3.4M to $2.9M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Public Agenda Inc reported a deficit of $1.6M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $249K in liabilities against $5.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 4.8%), resulting in net assets of $4.9M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.3M | $2.9M | $5.2M | $249K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $3.1M | $3.0M | $6.4M | $183K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $3.7M | $3.3M | $7.7M | $531K | — | — |
| 2020 | $3.7M | $3.1M | $6.8M | $573K | — | — |
| 2019 | $1.9M | $1.5M | $5.8M | $278K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $5.6M | $3.1M | $5.3M | $241K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $3.3M | $5.2M | $2.8M | $237K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $4.7M | $5.2M | $5.3M | $651K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $5.5M | $4.1M | $5.4M | $373K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.8M | $2.9M | $3.9M | $118K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $4.4M | $3.2M | $4.2M | $169K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $3.6M | $3.6M | $3.4M | $238K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $3.1M | $3.4M | $3.2M | $106K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $2.9M, and assets of $5.2M (revenue -57.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $3.1M, expenses of $3.0M, and assets of $6.4M (revenue -15.4% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $3.7M, expenses of $3.3M, and assets of $7.7M (revenue +0.8% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $3.7M, expenses of $3.1M, and assets of $6.8M (revenue +93.4% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $5.8M (revenue -66.1% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $5.6M, expenses of $3.1M, and assets of $5.3M (revenue +67.7% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $3.3M, expenses of $5.2M, and assets of $2.8M (revenue -29.0% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $4.7M, expenses of $5.2M, and assets of $5.3M (revenue -14.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $5.5M, expenses of $4.1M, and assets of $5.4M (revenue +94.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.8M, expenses of $2.9M, and assets of $3.9M (revenue -36.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $4.4M, expenses of $3.2M, and assets of $4.2M (revenue +20.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $3.6M, expenses of $3.6M, and assets of $3.4M (revenue +19.0% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $3.1M, expenses of $3.4M, and assets of $3.2M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Public Agenda Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Public Agenda 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.