Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union
Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union consistently operates at a deficit, with expenses exceeding revenues in recent years.
EIN: 131426674 · New York, NY · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $15.1M |
| Total Expenses | $17.2M |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $13 |
| Net Assets | $35.9M |
| Transparency Score | 65/100 |
Is Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union
Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union (EIN: 131426674) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY. The organization reported total revenue of $15.1M and total assets of $37.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 83 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 0.4%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $13.8M |
| Total Expenses | $17.2M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-3,346,811 |
| Total Assets | $36.1M |
| Total Liabilities | $196K |
| Net Assets | $35.9M |
| Operating Margin | -24.2% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.5% |
| Months of Reserves | 25.2 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union reported a deficit of $3.3M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 25.2 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.5% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.4%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -2.0% | -7.0% | -1.0% |
| 2022 | -10.7% | +15.2% | -27.9% |
| 2021 | +8.7% | +2.3% | +5.6% |
| 2020 | -8.6% | -8.9% | +7.7% |
| 2019 | -10.7% | -11.8% | +10.6% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 3000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1943 |
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 Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union 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, Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union 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 $3.3M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.5%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an entity with annual revenues exceeding $13 million. This suggests that executive compensation may be reported under different categories, covered by a parent organization, or that officers are genuinely uncompensated, which would require further clarification 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 Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits, with expenses exceeding revenues in recent years (e.g., $17.16M expenses vs $13.82M revenue in 2023).
- Unusual reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, raising questions about executive compensation transparency.
- Declining asset base from a peak of $50.5M in 2021 to $36.06M in 2023, potentially due to operating deficits.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union:
- Very low liabilities, consistently under $200,000 in recent years, indicating a strong balance sheet in terms of debt.
- Significant asset base of $36.06 million in 2023, providing financial stability despite operating deficits.
Frequently Asked Questions about Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union
Is Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union a legitimate charity?
Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union (EIN: 131426674) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 65/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $15.1M. 3 red flags identified. 2 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union spend its money?
Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This meets the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union tax-deductible?
Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 131426674). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union CEO make?
Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union's highest-compensated officer earns $13 annually. The organization reported $15.1M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union's spending goes to programs?
Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union directs 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union located?
Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union is headquartered in New York, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 131426674.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union have?
Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union 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 $15.1M in total revenue.
How does the RWDSU cover its consistent operating deficits, such as the $3.34 million deficit in 2023 ($17.16M expenses vs $13.82M revenue)?
The consistent operating deficits suggest the union may be drawing down its reserves, utilizing investment income, or receiving transfers from a parent organization to cover the shortfall. Further analysis of their Statement of Revenue and Expenses would be needed to identify the specific funding sources offsetting these deficits.
Why is officer compensation consistently reported as 0% across all filings, given the organization's size?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation is highly unusual for an organization with annual revenues in the tens of millions. This could indicate that executive compensation is reported under other expense categories, paid by a related entity, or that the officers are indeed uncompensated volunteers. Clarification on this reporting practice would enhance transparency.
What caused the significant revenue spike to $35,086,661 in 2015, compared to typical revenues in the $14-18 million range?
A detailed review of the 2015 IRS 990 filing would be necessary to identify the specific source of this substantial revenue increase. It could be due to a large one-time grant, a significant asset sale, or an unusual membership dues collection.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union's revenue has grown by 4.6%, moving from $13.2M to $13.8M. Total assets increased by 87.5% over the same period, from $19.2M to $36.1M. Total functional expenses rose by 29.3%, from $13.3M to $17.2M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union reported a deficit of $3.3M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $196K in liabilities against $36.1M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.5%), resulting in net assets of $35.9M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $13.8M | $17.2M | $36.1M | $196K | — | — |
| 2022 | $14.1M | $18.5M | $36.4M | $187K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $15.8M | $16.0M | $50.5M | $147K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $14.5M | $15.7M | $47.8M | $137K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $15.9M | $17.2M | $44.4M | $39K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $17.8M | $19.5M | $40.1M | $48K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $17.1M | $18.1M | $43.9M | $758K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $18.2M | $18.0M | $42.1M | $762K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $35.1M | $16.0M | $39.7M | $773K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $15.5M | $15.7M | $22.5M | $780K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $13.9M | $13.8M | $22.8M | $941K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $15.4M | $13.6M | $20.2M | $93K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $13.2M | $13.3M | $19.2M | $62K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $13.8M, expenses of $17.2M, and assets of $36.1M (revenue -2.0% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $14.1M, expenses of $18.5M, and assets of $36.4M (revenue -10.7% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $15.8M, expenses of $16.0M, and assets of $50.5M (revenue +8.7% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $14.5M, expenses of $15.7M, and assets of $47.8M (revenue -8.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $15.9M, expenses of $17.2M, and assets of $44.4M (revenue -10.7% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $17.8M, expenses of $19.5M, and assets of $40.1M (revenue +4.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $17.1M, expenses of $18.1M, and assets of $43.9M (revenue -6.1% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $18.2M, expenses of $18.0M, and assets of $42.1M (revenue -48.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $35.1M, expenses of $16.0M, and assets of $39.7M (revenue +126.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $15.5M, expenses of $15.7M, and assets of $22.5M (revenue +11.0% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $13.9M, expenses of $13.8M, and assets of $22.8M (revenue -9.6% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $15.4M, expenses of $13.6M, and assets of $20.2M (revenue +16.7% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $13.2M, expenses of $13.3M, and assets of $19.2M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union 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.