Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation
Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation consistently grows assets with zero officer compensation.
EIN: 133129027 · New York, NY · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $14.8M |
| Total Expenses | $3.6M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| Net Assets | $31.0M |
| Transparency Score | 90/100 |
Is Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation Legit?
Appears Legitimate
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation
Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation (EIN: 133129027) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY. The organization reported total revenue of $14.8M and total assets of $42.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 42 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 5.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $5.4M |
| Total Expenses | $3.6M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$1.7M |
| Total Assets | $34.4M |
| Total Liabilities | $3.4M |
| Net Assets | $31.0M |
| Operating Margin | 32.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 9.8% |
| Months of Reserves | 113.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation reported a surplus of $1.7M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 113.4 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 9.8% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +96.3% | +28.9% | +21.7% |
| 2022 | -57.7% | +62.5% | -27.8% |
| 2021 | +19.8% | -57.7% | +45.3% |
| 2020 | +7.5% | -4.0% | +5.2% |
| 2019 | -4.8% | -14.1% | +4.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1200 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1984 |
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 Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation with a Mission Score of 90 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: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% 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 $1.7M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 9.8%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that executive leadership is either unpaid or compensated through other means not reported as officer compensation, which is a positive sign for donor confidence.
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.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation:
- Consistent asset growth, from $14.8M in 2014 to over $42M currently.
- Zero reported officer compensation across all 13 filings, indicating strong donor focus.
- Revenue consistently exceeds expenses in most periods, leading to financial stability.
- Healthy financial reserves with current assets of $42,179,528.
- Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating strong financial solvency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation
Is Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation a legitimate charity?
Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation (EIN: 133129027) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 90/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $14.8M. No red flags identified. 5 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation spend its money?
Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation tax-deductible?
Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 133129027). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation located?
Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation is headquartered in New York, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 133129027.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation have?
Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation 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 $14.8M in total revenue.
Is Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation a good charity?
Based on its financial data, the Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation appears to be a very good charity. It consistently maintains a healthy financial surplus, has significantly grown its assets over time, and reports zero officer compensation, suggesting a strong dedication to its mission and efficient use of funds.
How has the organization's financial health changed over time?
The organization's financial health has significantly improved over time. Its assets have grown from $14,824,266 in 2014 to $42,179,528 currently, demonstrating consistent growth and strong financial management. Revenue has also shown healthy fluctuations, generally exceeding expenses.
What is the trend in revenue and expenses?
Revenue has fluctuated but generally trended upwards, with the latest reported revenue at $5,387,532 (202306) and a peak of $6,495,218 in 202106. Expenses have generally remained below revenue, indicating a sustainable operational model, with the latest expenses at $3,638,629 (202306).
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation's revenue has grown by 82%, moving from $3.0M to $5.4M. Total assets increased by 212.1% over the same period, from $11.0M to $34.4M. Total functional expenses rose by 117.3%, from $1.7M to $3.6M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation reported a surplus of $1.7M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $3.4M in liabilities against $34.4M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 9.8%), resulting in net assets of $31.0M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $5.4M | $3.6M | $34.4M | $3.4M | — | — |
| 2022 | $2.7M | $2.8M | $28.3M | $2.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $6.5M | $1.7M | $39.1M | $2.2M | — | — |
| 2020 | $5.4M | $4.1M | $26.9M | $1.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $5.0M | $4.3M | $25.6M | $2.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $5.3M | $5.0M | $24.6M | $2.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $4.8M | $3.3M | $22.2M | $2.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $4.2M | $2.6M | $16.9M | $1.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $4.2M | $3.8M | $16.1M | $1.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $4.0M | $4.9M | $14.8M | $1.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $2.7M | $1.9M | $14.1M | $1.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $3.5M | $2.7M | $11.6M | $782K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $3.0M | $1.7M | $11.0M | $924K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $5.4M, expenses of $3.6M, and assets of $34.4M (revenue +96.3% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $28.3M (revenue -57.7% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $6.5M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $39.1M (revenue +19.8% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $5.4M, expenses of $4.1M, and assets of $26.9M (revenue +7.5% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $5.0M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $25.6M (revenue -4.8% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $5.3M, expenses of $5.0M, and assets of $24.6M (revenue +10.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $4.8M, expenses of $3.3M, and assets of $22.2M (revenue +13.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $4.2M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $16.9M (revenue -0.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $4.2M, expenses of $3.8M, and assets of $16.1M (revenue +6.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $4.0M, expenses of $4.9M, and assets of $14.8M (revenue +49.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $14.1M (revenue -23.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $3.5M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $11.6M (revenue +17.8% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $11.0M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation 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.