Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York
Research Foundation of CUNY consistently manages substantial research funding with positive net assets and no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 131988190 · New York, NY · NTEE: B110 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $720.9M |
| Total Expenses | $592.8M |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $700 |
| Net Assets | $136.9M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York
Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York (EIN: 131988190) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY, classified under NTEE code B110. The organization reported total revenue of $720.9M and total assets of $652.3M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 44 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 2.4%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $600.3M |
| Total Expenses | $592.8M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$7.5M |
| Total Assets | $580.6M |
| Total Liabilities | $443.7M |
| Net Assets | $136.9M |
| Operating Margin | 1.2% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 76.4% |
| Months of Reserves | 11.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York reported a surplus of $7.5M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 11.8 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 76.4% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.4%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +15.8% | +15.2% | +13.3% |
| 2022 | +3.3% | +3.2% | +16.7% |
| 2021 | -8.4% | -8.2% | +4.0% |
| 2020 | -2.2% | -1.5% | +1.7% |
| 2019 | -6.7% | -6.9% | +6.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1982 |
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 Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York 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: 7%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 3%
According to IRS 990 filings, Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 7%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 3%. With 90% 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 $7.5M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 76.4%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an entity of its size with revenues exceeding $700 million. This suggests that executive compensation may be covered by the City University of New York directly or categorized under other operational expenses, warranting further investigation for complete 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 Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is unusual for an organization of this scale and may obscure true executive compensation costs.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York:
- Consistent positive operating margins, with revenues generally exceeding expenses across multiple years (e.g., 202306: Revenue $600M, Expenses $592M).
- Strong and growing asset base, reaching $652,289,162, indicating financial stability and capacity.
- Significant scale of operations, managing hundreds of millions in revenue annually, suggesting a substantial impact in its mission area.
Frequently Asked Questions about Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York
Is Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York (EIN: 131988190) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York spend its money?
Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York tax-deductible?
Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 131988190). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York CEO make?
Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York's highest-compensated officer earns $700 annually. The organization reported $720.9M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York's spending goes to programs?
Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York directs 90% to programs, 3% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York is above average for NTEE category B110 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York located?
Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York is headquartered in New York, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 131988190. It is classified under NTEE code B110.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York have?
Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York 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 $720.9M in total revenue.
How are executive salaries for the Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York funded and reported, given the 0% officer compensation in IRS 990 filings?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests that executive salaries may be paid directly by the City University of New York (CUNY) or are embedded within other expense categories not explicitly broken out as 'officer compensation' on the 990. This practice, while not necessarily problematic, warrants further clarification for full transparency regarding leadership costs.
What is the detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses for the Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York?
While the provided data indicates overall revenues and expenses, a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses is not available. This information is crucial for a comprehensive assessment of spending efficiency and program focus.
What is the primary source of the Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York's substantial revenue?
Given its NTEE code (B110 - University or Technological Institute) and name, it is highly probable that the primary source of revenue is grants and contracts for research and educational programs, likely from government agencies, foundations, and other research sponsors, managed on behalf of CUNY.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Research Foundation Of 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 Of The City University Of New York's revenue has grown by 33.6%, moving from $449.2M to $600.3M. Total assets increased by 112% over the same period, from $273.9M to $580.6M. Total functional expenses rose by 33.6%, from $443.7M to $592.8M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York reported a surplus of $7.5M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $443.7M in liabilities against $580.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 76.4%), resulting in net assets of $136.9M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $600.3M | $592.8M | $580.6M | $443.7M | — | — |
| 2022 | $518.3M | $514.8M | $512.5M | $408.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $501.6M | $498.7M | $439.3M | $359.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $547.5M | $543.3M | $422.2M | $362.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $560.1M | $551.4M | $415.1M | $361.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $600.2M | $592.5M | $391.7M | $340.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $548.8M | $545.1M | $354.4M | $319.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $497.5M | $495.9M | $333.8M | $302.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $467.7M | $465.8M | $314.7M | $284.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $453.3M | $452.0M | $305.1M | $275.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $450.0M | $449.8M | $282.8M | $265.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $452.4M | $448.9M | $285.4M | $294.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $449.2M | $443.7M | $273.9M | $277.0M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $600.3M, expenses of $592.8M, and assets of $580.6M (revenue +15.8% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $518.3M, expenses of $514.8M, and assets of $512.5M (revenue +3.3% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $501.6M, expenses of $498.7M, and assets of $439.3M (revenue -8.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $547.5M, expenses of $543.3M, and assets of $422.2M (revenue -2.2% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $560.1M, expenses of $551.4M, and assets of $415.1M (revenue -6.7% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $600.2M, expenses of $592.5M, and assets of $391.7M (revenue +9.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $548.8M, expenses of $545.1M, and assets of $354.4M (revenue +10.3% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $497.5M, expenses of $495.9M, and assets of $333.8M (revenue +6.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $467.7M, expenses of $465.8M, and assets of $314.7M (revenue +3.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $453.3M, expenses of $452.0M, and assets of $305.1M (revenue +0.7% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $450.0M, expenses of $449.8M, and assets of $282.8M (revenue -0.5% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $452.4M, expenses of $448.9M, and assets of $285.4M (revenue +0.7% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $449.2M, expenses of $443.7M, and assets of $273.9M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Research Foundation Of 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.