Vera Institute Of Justice Inc
Vera Institute Of Justice Inc shows substantial revenue growth and consistent financial surpluses with 0% reported officer compensation.
EIN: 131941627 · Brooklyn, NY · NTEE: I20Z · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Vera Institute Of Justice Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Vera Institute Of Justice Inc directs 88% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Vera Institute Of Justice Inc
Vera Institute Of Justice Inc (EIN: 131941627) is a nonprofit organization based in Brooklyn, NY, classified under NTEE code I20Z. The organization reported total revenue of $182.9M and total assets of $167.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Vera Institute Of Justice Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Vera Institute Of Justice Inc is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 64 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 20.3%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $263.2M |
| Total Expenses | $262.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$691K |
| Total Assets | $256.3M |
| Total Liabilities | $128.2M |
| Net Assets | $128.1M |
| Operating Margin | 0.3% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 50.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 11.7 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Vera Institute Of Justice Inc reported a surplus of $691K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 11.7 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 50.0% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Vera Institute Of Justice Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.3%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -0.7% | +6.9% | +3.7% |
| 2022 | +44.6% | +41.3% | +61.7% |
| 2021 | +3.1% | +10.9% | -10.4% |
| 2020 | +29.3% | +20.2% | +25.1% |
| 2019 | +0.3% | +27.4% | +16.8% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1200 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1962 |
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 Vera Institute Of Justice Inc with a Mission Score of 92 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: 88%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Vera Institute Of Justice Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 7%, programs: 88%, fundraising: 5%. With 88% 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 $691K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 50.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Vera Institute Of Justice Inc consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available IRS 990 filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size with revenues exceeding $260 million. This suggests either a volunteer leadership model, compensation being reported under different categories, or officers being compensated by a related entity, warranting further investigation 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 Vera Institute Of Justice Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation for a large organization warrants further scrutiny to understand the full compensation structure.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Vera Institute Of Justice Inc:
- Exceptional revenue growth from $43.4M in 2014 to $263.2M in 2023, demonstrating strong financial support.
- Consistent financial surpluses in most recent years (e.g., $263.2M revenue vs. $262.5M expenses in 2023).
- Healthy and growing asset base, reaching $256.3M in 2023, indicating financial stability.
- Strong program spending ratio, estimated at 88%, suggesting efficient use of funds towards its mission.
- Low reported administrative and fundraising costs, contributing to overall efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Vera Institute Of Justice Inc
Is Vera Institute Of Justice Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Vera Institute Of Justice Inc (EIN: 131941627) some concerns. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Vera Institute Of Justice Inc spend its money?
Vera Institute Of Justice Inc directs 88% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Vera Institute Of Justice Inc tax-deductible?
Vera Institute Of Justice Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 131941627). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How does Vera Institute Of Justice Inc manage to report 0% officer compensation despite its large size and revenue?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings for an organization with over $260 million in annual revenue is highly unusual. This could indicate that key officers are volunteers, compensated by a related entity, or their compensation is categorized differently within the IRS 990, such as under 'other salaries and wages' rather than 'officer compensation'.
What is the primary driver of the significant revenue growth experienced by the organization?
The IRS 990 data alone does not specify the exact drivers, but the substantial increase from $43.4 million in 2014 to $263.2 million in 2023 suggests successful grant acquisition, increased individual donations, or expansion of government contracts, aligning with its NTEE code for legal services and advocacy.
Is the organization's asset growth proportionate to its revenue growth?
Yes, the organization's assets have grown significantly, from $91 million in 2014 to $256.3 million in 2023, generally keeping pace with its substantial revenue growth. This indicates effective management of resources and accumulation of reserves.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Vera Institute Of Justice Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Vera Institute Of Justice Inc's revenue has grown by 819.8%, moving from $28.6M to $263.2M. Total assets increased by 311.8% over the same period, from $62.2M to $256.3M. Total functional expenses rose by 802.1%, from $29.1M to $262.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Vera Institute Of Justice Inc reported a surplus of $691K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $128.2M in liabilities against $256.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 50.0%), resulting in net assets of $128.1M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $263.2M | $262.5M | $256.3M | $128.2M | — | — |
| 2022 | $265.1M | $245.4M | $247.2M | $124.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $183.3M | $173.7M | $152.9M | $40.1M | — | — |
| 2020 | $177.9M | $156.6M | $170.6M | $73.3M | — | — |
| 2019 | $137.5M | $130.3M | $136.3M | $58.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $137.2M | $102.3M | $116.7M | $47.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $109.4M | $92.4M | $76.1M | $39.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $69.0M | $67.5M | $65.6M | $46.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $51.3M | $52.0M | $47.1M | $29.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $43.4M | $40.9M | $91.0M | $72.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $35.5M | $34.7M | $71.8M | $55.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $30.9M | $30.5M | $61.1M | $45.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $28.6M | $29.1M | $62.2M | $46.8M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $263.2M, expenses of $262.5M, and assets of $256.3M (revenue -0.7% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $265.1M, expenses of $245.4M, and assets of $247.2M (revenue +44.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $183.3M, expenses of $173.7M, and assets of $152.9M (revenue +3.1% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $177.9M, expenses of $156.6M, and assets of $170.6M (revenue +29.3% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $137.5M, expenses of $130.3M, and assets of $136.3M (revenue +0.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $137.2M, expenses of $102.3M, and assets of $116.7M (revenue +25.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $109.4M, expenses of $92.4M, and assets of $76.1M (revenue +58.6% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $69.0M, expenses of $67.5M, and assets of $65.6M (revenue +34.6% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $51.3M, expenses of $52.0M, and assets of $47.1M (revenue +18.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $43.4M, expenses of $40.9M, and assets of $91.0M (revenue +22.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $35.5M, expenses of $34.7M, and assets of $71.8M (revenue +15.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $30.9M, expenses of $30.5M, and assets of $61.1M (revenue +7.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $28.6M, expenses of $29.1M, and assets of $62.2M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Vera Institute Of Justice 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.