Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture
Van Alen Institute reports consistent operational deficits in recent years despite substantial assets and no officer compensation.
EIN: 131655152 · Brooklyn, NY · NTEE: A40 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $7.2M |
| Total Expenses | $2.5M |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| Net Assets | $35.6M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture
Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture (EIN: 131655152) is a nonprofit organization based in Brooklyn, NY, classified under NTEE code A40. The organization reported total revenue of $7.2M and total assets of $40.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 88 years, with 14 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2010–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 2.8%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.4M |
| Total Expenses | $2.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-1,057,710 |
| Total Assets | $39.9M |
| Total Liabilities | $4.3M |
| Net Assets | $35.6M |
| Operating Margin | -73.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 10.7% |
| Months of Reserves | 192.2 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture reported a deficit of $1.1M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 192.2 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 10.7% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 14 years of filings (2010–2023), Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.8%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -15.8% | -16.3% | +6.1% |
| 2022 | -44.6% | +11.4% | -15.5% |
| 2021 | +22.3% | +7.8% | +5.7% |
| 2020 | +40.5% | -9.3% | +22.4% |
| 2019 | -94.1% | +16.4% | -1.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1938 |
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 Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture 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: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture 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 $1.1M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 10.7%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating a strong commitment to minimizing overhead in this area or that leadership is compensated through non-officer roles, which is a positive sign for donor trust.
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 Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operational deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023 expenses $2.49M vs. revenue $1.43M)
- Significant year-over-year revenue volatility, making financial planning potentially challenging (e.g., $30M in 2018 vs. $1.7M in 2019)
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture:
- Substantial asset base providing financial stability (e.g., $40,855,087 latest assets)
- Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong transparency and potentially low executive overhead
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (14 filings), suggesting consistent compliance and transparency
Frequently Asked Questions about Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture
Is Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture (EIN: 131655152) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture spend its money?
Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture tax-deductible?
Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 131655152). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture's spending goes to programs?
Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture directs 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture is above average for NTEE category A40 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture located?
Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 131655152. It is classified under NTEE code A40.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture have?
Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture has 14 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 $7.2M in total revenue.
Is Van Alen Institute financially sustainable given recent operational deficits?
While the organization has substantial assets (e.g., $39,887,285 in 2023), recent years show expenses exceeding revenue ($2,490,251 expenses vs. $1,432,541 revenue in 2023), indicating a reliance on reserves or investment income. This trend, if continued, could impact long-term sustainability.
What caused the significant revenue spike in 2018?
The revenue of $30,324,174 in 2018 is an outlier compared to other years, which typically range from $1.4M to $3M. This could be due to a major capital campaign, a large one-time grant, or a significant asset sale, and would require further investigation into the 2018 990 filing for specifics.
How does the organization manage its substantial assets?
With assets consistently over $37 million in recent years, and reaching $44,490,814 in 2021, the organization holds significant financial resources. The management of these assets, likely through investments, plays a crucial role in its financial health, especially when operational expenses exceed program revenue.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture showing financial trends over 14 years of public records:
Over 14 years of IRS 990 filings (2010–2023), Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture's revenue has grown by 43.4%, moving from $999K to $1.4M. Total assets increased by 774% over the same period, from $4.6M to $39.9M. Total functional expenses rose by 344.8%, from $560K to $2.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture reported a deficit of $1.1M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $4.3M in liabilities against $39.9M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 10.7%), resulting in net assets of $35.6M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.4M | $2.5M | $39.9M | $4.3M | — | — |
| 2022 | $1.7M | $3.0M | $37.6M | $4.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $3.1M | $2.7M | $44.5M | $4.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.5M | $2.5M | $42.1M | $4.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.8M | $2.7M | $34.4M | $293K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $30.3M | $2.3M | $34.8M | $186K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $2.4M | $2.2M | $7.3M | $485K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $2.7M | $1.9M | $7.1M | $556K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.6M | $1.4M | $5.9M | $436K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.1M | $1.6M | $6.0M | $534K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.3M | $1.2M | $5.3M | $446K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $617K | $862K | $4.6M | $242K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $930K | $643K | $4.7M | $295K | — | View 990 |
| 2010 | $999K | $560K | $4.6M | $195K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $2.5M, and assets of $39.9M (revenue -15.8% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $3.0M, and assets of $37.6M (revenue -44.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $3.1M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $44.5M (revenue +22.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $2.5M, and assets of $42.1M (revenue +40.5% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $34.4M (revenue -94.1% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $30.3M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $34.8M (revenue +1142.0% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $2.4M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $7.3M (revenue -9.5% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $7.1M (revenue +70.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $5.9M (revenue -24.7% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.1M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $6.0M (revenue +59.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $5.3M (revenue +114.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $617K, expenses of $862K, and assets of $4.6M (revenue -33.7% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $930K, expenses of $643K, and assets of $4.7M (revenue -6.9% year-over-year).
- 2010: Revenue of $999K, expenses of $560K, and assets of $4.6M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Van Alen Institute Projects In Public Architecture 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.