Research Foundation For The City University Of New York

Research Foundation For The City University Of New York consistently generates surpluses and grows assets with no reported officer compensation.

EIN: 20733394 · Detroit, MI · NTEE: Y43 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$130.7MRevenue

$260.5MAssets

88/100Mission Score (Excellent)

Y43

About Research Foundation For The City University Of New York

Research Foundation For The City University Of New York (EIN: 20733394) is a nonprofit organization based in Detroit, MI, classified under NTEE code Y43. The organization reported total revenue of $130.7M and total assets of $260.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Research Foundation For The City University Of New York's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Research Foundation For The City University Of New York demonstrates consistent financial health, with revenues generally exceeding expenses across its filing history. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $50,351,702 against expenses of $44,376,541, indicating a healthy surplus. The organization's assets have also shown steady growth, reaching $235,617,351 in 2023, which suggests strong financial management and capacity. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a significant indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. This practice, while unusual for an organization of its size, suggests that executive compensation may be handled through other mechanisms or not directly reported as officer compensation on the 990, which warrants further investigation for complete transparency.

Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data, a precise efficiency ratio cannot be calculated. However, the consistent surpluses suggest that the organization is not overspending its income. The substantial asset base relative to annual expenses also provides a buffer for future operations and initiatives. The organization's NTEE code Y43 (Research Institutes and/or Public Policy Analysis) suggests a focus on research, which often involves significant operational costs that may not always be categorized as direct 'program' spending in the traditional sense, but are integral to its mission.

Overall, the financial data points to a well-managed organization with a strong financial position and a notable commitment to transparency regarding executive compensation. The growth in assets and consistent revenue generation indicate sustainability. Further detailed expense breakdowns would enhance the assessment of spending efficiency, but the available data is largely positive.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Research Foundation For The City University Of New York with a Mission Score of 88 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: 10%
programs: 85%
fundraising: 5%

According to IRS 990 filings, Research Foundation For The City University Of New York allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available IRS 990 filings, which is highly unusual for an entity with annual revenues exceeding $50 million. This suggests that executive compensation may be covered by other entities, or reported under different expense categories, rather than directly as officer compensation on the 990.

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 Research Foundation For The City University Of New York's IRS 990 filings:

Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is atypical for an organization of this size and suggests compensation may be obscured or handled externally.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Research Foundation For The City University Of New York:

Consistent financial surpluses, with revenue exceeding expenses in most reported periods (e.g., $50,351,702 revenue vs. $44,376,541 expenses in 2023).
Steady growth in assets, reaching $235,617,351 in 2023, indicating strong financial health and stability.
Low liabilities relative to assets, suggesting good financial management and solvency (e.g., $3,125,400 liabilities vs. $235,617,351 assets in 2023).
Strong revenue generation over time, with latest reported revenue at $130,656,924, demonstrating significant operational scale.

Frequently Asked Questions about Research Foundation For The City University Of New York

How is executive compensation handled if 0% is reported on the 990?

The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests that executive compensation for the Research Foundation For The City University Of New York may be paid by an affiliated entity, or categorized differently within the expense structure, rather than directly reported as officer compensation on the 990.

What is the detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses?

The provided data does not include a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which is necessary for a precise assessment of spending efficiency. Further investigation into the full 990 forms would be required.

What is the primary source of the organization's revenue?

The provided data indicates consistent revenue generation, but does not specify the primary sources (e.g., grants, contributions, program service revenue). This information would be available in the full IRS 990 filing.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Research Foundation For The City University Of New York showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:

Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Research Foundation For The City University Of New York's revenue has grown by 380.2%, moving from $10.5M to $50.4M. Total assets increased by 282% over the same period, from $61.7M to $235.6M. Total functional expenses rose by 17970.2%, from $246K to $44.4M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Research Foundation For The City University Of New York reported a surplus of $6.0M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $3.1M in liabilities against $235.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 1.3%), resulting in net assets of $232.5M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$50.4M	$44.4M	$235.6M	$3.1M	—	—
2022	$50.0M	$37.0M	$203.8M	$3.2M	—	View 990
2021	$49.3M	$37.3M	$230.6M	$3.3M	—	View 990
2020	$43.8M	$33.1M	$218.4M	$4.4M	—	View 990
2019	$53.2M	$38.8M	$193.2M	$3.3M	—	—
2018	$51.0M	$35.6M	$162.4M	$3.3M	—	View 990
2017	$40.6M	$32.1M	$159.7M	$3.3M	—	View 990
2016	$36.8M	$28.4M	$145.2M	$3.3M	—	View 990
2015	$39.3M	$23.7M	$131.2M	$3.3M	—	View 990
2014	$56.7M	$24.4M	$123.4M	$3.3M	—	View 990
2013	$36.0M	$23.0M	$105.6M	$3.7M	—	View 990
2012	$10.8M	$251K	$72.4M	$264K	—	View 990
2011	$10.5M	$246K	$61.7M	$70K	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $50.4M, expenses of $44.4M, and assets of $235.6M (revenue +0.8% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $50.0M, expenses of $37.0M, and assets of $203.8M (revenue +1.4% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $49.3M, expenses of $37.3M, and assets of $230.6M (revenue +12.4% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $43.8M, expenses of $33.1M, and assets of $218.4M (revenue -17.6% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $53.2M, expenses of $38.8M, and assets of $193.2M (revenue +4.3% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $51.0M, expenses of $35.6M, and assets of $162.4M (revenue +25.6% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $40.6M, expenses of $32.1M, and assets of $159.7M (revenue +10.3% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $36.8M, expenses of $28.4M, and assets of $145.2M (revenue -6.5% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $39.3M, expenses of $23.7M, and assets of $131.2M (revenue -30.6% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $56.7M, expenses of $24.4M, and assets of $123.4M (revenue +57.3% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $36.0M, expenses of $23.0M, and assets of $105.6M (revenue +234.6% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $10.8M, expenses of $251K, and assets of $72.4M (revenue +2.7% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $10.5M, expenses of $246K, and assets of $61.7M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Research Foundation For The City University Of New York 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.