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Center for Automotive Research

EIN 01-0779978 · Ann Arbor, MI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak31 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INFORM AND ADVISE, THROUGH INDEPENDENT RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND DIALOGUE, ENABLING A MORE VIABLE AND SUSTAINABLE AUTOMOTIVE ECOSYSTEM.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
20
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$221,600, president and ceo jan-sep

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 31 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover -0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 96% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $485,721 spent. RESEARCH: CENTER FOR AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH PARTICIPATES IN SEVERAL MULTI-YEAR AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY RELATED RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT ARE SUPPORTED BY FEDERAL, STATE, FOUNDATION AND PRIVATE INDUSTRY SOURCES. THE PROJECTS FOCUS ON ANALYZING ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRY TRENDS, PERFORMING COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS AND FORMING OPINIONS ON AUTOMOTIVE RELATED POLICIES.
  2. $648,528 spent. CONFERENCES: THE CENTER FOR AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH CONDUCTS CONFERENCES ON AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY TRENDS, TECHNOLOGY AND MANUFACTURING. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CONFERENCE OFFERED IS THE CAR MANAGEMENT BRIEFING SEMINARS (MBS). THE MBS HAS TAKEN PLACE ANNUALLY FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON AUTOMOTIVE RELATED TOPICS, THE SEMINARS PROVIDE NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPANTS AND PROMOTES THE SHARING OF IDEAS. IN ADDITION TO THE MBS, CAR CONDUCTS OTHER REGIONAL AND LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE RELATED CONFERENCES.
  3. $548,822 spent. MISSION: THE CENTER FOR AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH WORKS TO FULFILL OUR NON-PROFIT DUTY TO PROMOTE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE AUTOMOTIVE AND MOBILITY INDUSTRY. THIS INCLUDES JOURNALIST INTERVIEWS, SPEAKING AT CONFERENCES AND OTHER PARTNER'S EVENTS, AS WELL AS GOVERNMENT RESEARCH TO SUPPORT PUBLIC POLICY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2004.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

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