Center for Automotive Research

Analysis

Center for Automotive Research is a registered charity in United States, based in Ann Arbor, MI. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in November 2004, 22 years ago. Its declared purposes cover science and technology, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (gross receipts test) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Center for Automotive Research reported income of $3.2m and spending of $3.5m, spending 107% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income fell from $4.1m to $3.2m (-20%), an average of -5.4% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2020, when income dropped by 32%. Over the whole period it spent 112% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Center for Automotive Research sits at the 94th percentile: it is larger than about 94% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 89th percentile, and in the 90th percentile within MI. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Association of Writers & Writing ($3.2m), American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Inc ($3.2m) and Radio Milwaukee Inc ($3.2m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 40% and program service revenue 60% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $769k (22% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $816k. At year end it held assets of $1.9m against liabilities of $2.3m, net assets of -$399k. It reported 31 employees.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.