The Museum For African Art

The Museum For African Art faces declining revenue and increasing expenses, drawing down assets.

EIN: 133137461 · New York, NY · NTEE: A500 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$7.5MRevenue
$86.4MAssets
65/100Mission Score (Good)
A500
The Museum For African Art Financial Summary
MetricValue
Total Revenue$7.5M
Total Expenses$3.4M
Program Spending75%
Net Assets$73.6M
Transparency Score65/100

Is The Museum For African Art Legit?

Some Concerns

GoodFiling Consistency
ExcellentSpending Efficiency
GoodTransparency
3 FoundRed Flags

Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →

The Museum For African Art directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.

About The Museum For African Art

The Museum For African Art (EIN: 133137461) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY, classified under NTEE code A500. The organization reported total revenue of $7.5M and total assets of $86.4M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of The Museum For African Art's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

Organization Overview

44Years Operating
Mid-SizeSize Classification
13Years of Filings
MixedRevenue Trajectory

The Museum For African Art is a mid-size 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 -21.4%.

Key Financial Metrics (2023)

From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:

Total Revenue$1.7M
Total Expenses$3.4M
Surplus / Deficit$-1,663,505
Total Assets$82.7M
Total Liabilities$9.1M
Net Assets$73.6M
Operating Margin-95.7%
Debt-to-Asset Ratio11.0%
Months of Reserves291.7 months

Financial Health Grade: B

In 2023, The Museum For African Art reported a deficit of $1.7M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 291.7 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 11.0% (very low leverage).

Financial Trends

Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), The Museum For African Art's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -21.4%.

YearRevenue ChangeExpense ChangeAsset Change
2023+12.3%+13.1%-2.1%
2022-39.5%+22.5%-2.1%
2021-74.4%-11.5%-0.4%
2020-26.8%+12.8%+3.5%
2019+162.6%+9.6%+16.3%

IRS Tax-Exempt Classification

IRS Classification Codes1000
IRS Ruling Date1982

Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.

AI Transparency Report

The Museum For African Art demonstrates a fluctuating financial landscape over the past decade. While the organization holds substantial assets, reported at $86,428,481 in its latest filing, its revenue has been inconsistent, with a notable decline from $13,627,719 in 2019 to $1,738,866 in 2023. This recent trend of expenses exceeding revenue, such as $3,402,371 in expenses against $1,738,866 in revenue in 2023, suggests operational challenges or a reliance on prior year surpluses or endowment drawdowns. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings indicates strong transparency regarding executive pay, or that compensation is not structured in a way that requires disclosure in this section, which is a positive sign for donors concerned about excessive salaries. Spending efficiency appears to be a concern in recent years, as expenses have consistently outpaced revenue, leading to a reduction in assets from a peak of $86,577,954 in 2020 to $82,696,141 in 2023. While the specific breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't provided in the summary data, the overall financial trend suggests that the organization may be drawing down reserves to cover operational costs. The significant liabilities in earlier years (e.g., $26,661,084 in 2017) have been substantially reduced to $9,085,897 in 2023, which is a positive development in managing debt. Overall, the museum exhibits a commitment to transparency regarding executive compensation. However, the recent financial performance, characterized by declining revenue and expenses exceeding income, warrants closer examination of its operational model and sustainability. Donors should consider the long-term financial strategy given the current trends.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates The Museum For African Art 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: 15%
  • programs: 75%
  • fundraising: 10%

According to IRS 990 filings, The Museum For African Art 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:

$1.7MTotal Revenue
$3.4MTotal Expenses
$82.7MTotal Assets
$9.1MTotal Liabilities
$73.6MNet Assets
  • The organization reported a deficit of $1.7M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
  • Debt-to-asset ratio: 11.0%.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating either no reportable compensation for officers or a highly transparent approach to executive pay.

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 The Museum For African Art's IRS 990 filings:

  • Consistent decline in revenue since 2019, from $13,627,719 to $1,738,866 in 2023.
  • Expenses consistently exceeding revenue in recent years (e.g., $3,402,371 expenses vs. $1,738,866 revenue in 2023).
  • Decrease in total assets from $86,577,954 in 2020 to $82,696,141 in 2023, suggesting reliance on reserves.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for The Museum For African Art:

  • Significant reduction in liabilities from $26,661,084 in 2017 to $9,085,897 in 2023.
  • Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating transparency in executive pay.
  • Substantial asset base of $86,428,481, providing a buffer despite recent financial trends.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Museum For African Art

Is The Museum For African Art a legitimate charity?

The Museum For African Art (EIN: 133137461) 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: $7.5M. 3 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.

How does The Museum For African Art spend its money?

The Museum For African Art directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.

Are donations to The Museum For African Art tax-deductible?

The Museum For African Art is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 133137461). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.

What percentage of The Museum For African Art's spending goes to programs?

The Museum For African Art directs 75% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.

How does The Museum For African Art compare to similar nonprofits?

With a transparency score of 65/100 (Good), The Museum For African Art is above average for NTEE category A500 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.

Where is The Museum For African Art located?

The Museum For African Art is headquartered in New York, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 133137461. It is classified under NTEE code A500.

How many years of IRS 990 filings does The Museum For African Art have?

The Museum For African Art 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 $7.5M in total revenue.

Is The Museum For African Art financially stable given recent trends?

The organization's financial stability appears to be challenged by a consistent trend of expenses exceeding revenue in recent years, with revenue dropping from $13,627,719 in 2019 to $1,738,866 in 2023, and assets decreasing from $86,577,954 in 2020 to $82,696,141 in 2023.

How has the organization managed its liabilities?

The Museum For African Art has significantly reduced its liabilities from a high of $26,661,084 in 2017 to $9,085,897 in 2023, demonstrating effective debt management.

What is the trend in the organization's revenue?

Revenue has been highly volatile, peaking at $13,627,719 in 2019 and declining sharply to $1,738,866 in 2023, indicating an inconsistent funding base.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for The Museum For African Art showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:

Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), The Museum For African Art's revenue has declined by 94.4%, moving from $31.1M to $1.7M. Total assets increased by 20.1% over the same period, from $68.9M to $82.7M. Total functional expenses fell by 7.6%, from $3.7M to $3.4M. In its most recent filing year (2023), The Museum For African Art reported a deficit of $1.7M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $9.1M in liabilities against $82.7M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 11.0%), resulting in net assets of $73.6M.

YearRevenueExpensesAssetsLiabilitiesOfficer Comp. %PDF
2023 $1.7M $3.4M $82.7M $9.1M
2022 $1.5M $3.0M $84.4M $9.2M View 990
2021 $2.6M $2.5M $86.2M $9.5M View 990
2020 $10.0M $2.8M $86.6M $9.9M View 990
2019 $13.6M $2.5M $83.6M $11.2M View 990
2018 $5.2M $2.2M $71.9M $10.7M View 990
2017 $8.4M $2.1M $69.9M $26.7M View 990
2016 $1.3M $1.8M $62.3M $26.2M View 990
2015 $569K $2.3M $63.3M $26.3M View 990
2014 $6.7M $2.7M $66.5M $26.3M View 990
2013 $1.7M $4.9M $63.8M $26.9M View 990
2012 $8.1M $4.3M $72.2M $26.0M View 990
2011 $31.1M $3.7M $68.9M $26.4M View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

  • 2023: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $3.4M, and assets of $82.7M (revenue +12.3% year-over-year).
  • 2022: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $3.0M, and assets of $84.4M (revenue -39.5% year-over-year).
  • 2021: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $2.5M, and assets of $86.2M (revenue -74.4% year-over-year).
  • 2020: Revenue of $10.0M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $86.6M (revenue -26.8% year-over-year).
  • 2019: Revenue of $13.6M, expenses of $2.5M, and assets of $83.6M (revenue +162.6% year-over-year).
  • 2018: Revenue of $5.2M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $71.9M (revenue -38.2% year-over-year).
  • 2017: Revenue of $8.4M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $69.9M (revenue +532.7% year-over-year).
  • 2016: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $62.3M (revenue +133.1% year-over-year).
  • 2015: Revenue of $569K, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $63.3M (revenue -91.5% year-over-year).
  • 2014: Revenue of $6.7M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $66.5M (revenue +305.1% year-over-year).
  • 2013: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $4.9M, and assets of $63.8M (revenue -79.6% year-over-year).
  • 2012: Revenue of $8.1M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $72.2M (revenue -74.0% year-over-year).
  • 2011: Revenue of $31.1M, expenses of $3.7M, and assets of $68.9M.

View Individual Filing Years

Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for The Museum For African Art:

2023 Filing 2022 Filing 2021 Filing 2020 Filing 2019 Filing 2018 Filing 2017 Filing 2016 Filing 2015 Filing 2014 Filing 2013 Filing 2012 Filing 2011 Filing

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for The Museum For African Art 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.

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