The Ross Institute Inc

The Ross Institute Inc. faces persistent operational deficits and a significant decline in assets over the last decade.

EIN: 10880911 · East Hampton, NY · NTEE: B20 · Updated: 2026-03-27

$23.3MRevenue

$53.6MAssets

55/100Mission Score (Fair)

B20

About The Ross Institute Inc

The Ross Institute Inc (EIN: 10880911) is a nonprofit organization based in East Hampton, NY, classified under NTEE code B20. The organization reported total revenue of $23.3M and total assets of $53.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of The Ross Institute Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Ross Institute Inc. demonstrates a concerning trend of declining revenue and increasing deficits over the past several years. In the most recent filing (202306), the organization reported revenue of $28,637,193 against expenses of $34,118,336, resulting in a deficit of over $5 million. This continues a pattern seen in 202206 (revenue $24,615,491, expenses $34,673,518) and 202106 (revenue $23,703,181, expenses $30,162,237). 

Assets have also significantly decreased, from a high of $112,166,658 in 201406 to $60,786,215 in 202306, indicating a substantial draw on reserves. While the organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a positive for transparency regarding executive pay, the overall financial health appears to be deteriorating, with expenses consistently outstripping revenue. 

The sustained operational deficits and the substantial reduction in assets raise questions about the long-term sustainability and financial management of the institute. A detailed breakdown of spending efficiency (program vs. administrative vs. fundraising) is not provided in the summary data, making a full assessment of spending efficiency challenging without further detail from the 990 forms.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates The Ross Institute Inc with a Mission Score of 55 out of 100 (Fair). 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 Ross Institute 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.

Executive Compensation Analysis

The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all provided filing periods, indicating that no compensation was paid to officers, directors, trustees, or key employees, which is a strong positive for financial transparency and resource allocation.

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 Ross Institute Inc's IRS 990 filings:

Consistent operational deficits, with expenses exceeding revenue for multiple years (e.g., $5.48M deficit in 202306).
Significant decline in total assets, from over $112M in 201406 to $60.79M in 202306, indicating a draw on reserves.
Revenue has decreased substantially from a high of $54.39M in 201406 to $28.64M in 202306, while expenses have remained relatively high.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for The Ross Institute Inc:

Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating strong transparency regarding executive pay and potentially efficient use of leadership resources.
Maintains substantial assets ($60.79M in 202306), providing some buffer despite the declining trend.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Ross Institute Inc

Is The Ross Institute Inc. financially sustainable given its consistent operational deficits?

The organization has consistently reported expenses exceeding revenue for several years, leading to significant operational deficits (e.g., $5.48 million in 202306, $10.06 million in 202206). This trend, coupled with a substantial decline in assets from $112.17 million in 201406 to $60.79 million in 202306, raises serious concerns about its long-term financial sustainability.

What is causing the significant decline in assets?

The decline in assets from $112,166,658 in 201406 to $60,786,215 in 202306 is likely due to the organization drawing down its reserves to cover the persistent operational deficits, as expenses have consistently outpaced revenue.

How does the organization plan to address its revenue shortfalls?

The provided data does not detail specific strategies to address revenue shortfalls. However, the consistent gap between revenue and expenses suggests a need for either increased fundraising, new revenue streams, or significant cost reductions to achieve financial stability.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for The Ross Institute Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:

Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), The Ross Institute Inc's revenue has grown by 1.2%, moving from $28.3M to $28.6M. Total assets decreased by 38.1% over the same period, from $98.1M to $60.8M. Total functional expenses fell by 1%, from $34.5M to $34.1M. In its most recent filing year (2023), The Ross Institute Inc reported a deficit of $5.5M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $22.6M in liabilities against $60.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 37.2%), resulting in net assets of $38.2M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$28.6M	$34.1M	$60.8M	$22.6M	—	—
2022	$24.6M	$34.7M	$64.0M	$20.3M	—	View 990
2021	$23.7M	$30.2M	$73.1M	$19.3M	—	—
2020	$28.5M	$34.9M	$77.3M	$17.1M	—	View 990
2019	$40.4M	$37.2M	$85.0M	$12.9M	—	View 990
2018	$37.8M	$38.3M	$91.4M	$22.5M	—	View 990
2017	$35.1M	$40.0M	$96.9M	$27.5M	—	View 990
2016	$37.9M	$42.7M	$102.1M	$27.8M	—	View 990
2015	$39.5M	$42.7M	$110.3M	$31.2M	—	View 990
2014	$54.4M	$42.3M	$112.2M	$29.8M	—	View 990
2013	$58.9M	$35.2M	$105.6M	$35.3M	—	View 990
2012	$30.3M	$35.0M	$96.7M	$49.7M	—	View 990
2011	$28.3M	$34.5M	$98.1M	$46.5M	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $28.6M, expenses of $34.1M, and assets of $60.8M (revenue +16.3% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $24.6M, expenses of $34.7M, and assets of $64.0M (revenue +3.8% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $23.7M, expenses of $30.2M, and assets of $73.1M (revenue -16.9% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $28.5M, expenses of $34.9M, and assets of $77.3M (revenue -29.5% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $40.4M, expenses of $37.2M, and assets of $85.0M (revenue +7.0% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $37.8M, expenses of $38.3M, and assets of $91.4M (revenue +7.6% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $35.1M, expenses of $40.0M, and assets of $96.9M (revenue -7.5% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $37.9M, expenses of $42.7M, and assets of $102.1M (revenue -3.9% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $39.5M, expenses of $42.7M, and assets of $110.3M (revenue -27.4% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $54.4M, expenses of $42.3M, and assets of $112.2M (revenue -7.7% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $58.9M, expenses of $35.2M, and assets of $105.6M (revenue +94.5% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $30.3M, expenses of $35.0M, and assets of $96.7M (revenue +7.0% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $28.3M, expenses of $34.5M, and assets of $98.1M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for The Ross Institute 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.