THE RIGHT QUESTION INSTITUTE INC

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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

4 risk indicators measuring financial stability and operational resilience

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year

1990

Legal Domicile

Principal Officer

JOHN ESTERLE

Phone

6174921900

Tax Period

2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30

THE RIGHT QUESTION INSTITUTE INC, founded in 1990, is a community nonprofit in the Community Improvement sector that reported $1.2M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue grew 11% year-over-year, indicating healthy expansion. Expenses of $1.7M exceeded revenue, resulting in a 39% operating deficit.

Mission

THE RIGHT QUESTION INSTITUTE ADVANCES AN ORIGINAL EDUCATIONAL STRATEGY THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR ALL PEOPLE TO ASK THEIR OWN QUESTIONS. THE TRANSFORMATIONAL SKILL OF ASKING QUESTIONS ENHANCES LEARNING, PROMOTES EMPOWERMENT, AND STRENGTHENS DEMOCRACY. PEOPLE - INCLUDING THOSE FURTHEST FROM POWER - CAN USE THIS SKILL TO THINK AND LEARN INDEPENDENTLY, PARTICIPATE MEANINGFULLY IN DECISIONS THAT AFFECT THEM, AND ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1

Expenses: $1,159,471 Revenue: $157,201

THE RIGHT QUESTION INSTITUTE IS DEDICATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INNOVATIVE EDUCATION STRATEGY FOR TEACHING PEOPLE HOW TO THINK AND ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND HOW TO ACT MORE EFFECTIVELY AS CITIZENS IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. DURING THE YEAR, RQI USED DIFFERENT METHODS FOR DISSEMINATING EDUCATIONAL STRATEGY, INCLUDING ON-SITE TRAINING, HOSTING OF TRAINING INSTITUTES, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF RQI EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $912,109

Program Service Revenue $157,201

Investment Income $132,148

Other Revenue $1,063

TOTAL REVENUE $1,202,521

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0

Salaries & Benefits $1,339,819

Fundraising Expenses $293,383

Program Expenses $1,159,471

Other Expenses $332,531

TOTAL EXPENSES $1,672,350

Year-over-Year Comparison

	2024	2023	Change
Revenue	$1,202,521	$1,084,524	+0.1%
Expenses	$1,672,350	$1,605,909	+0.0%
Net Income	$-469,829	$-521,385	-0.1%

Key Indicators

✗ Grants to Organizations ✗ Grants to Individuals ✗ Lobbying ✗ Political Activity ✗ Foreign Activities ✗ Donor Advised Fund ✓ Schedule B Required

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Financial Health Indicators

Comprehensive financial analysis: Altman Z-Score, liquidity, solvency, sustainability, efficiency, and growth metrics

Financial Distress Indicator

Liquidity & Cash Position

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Altman Z-Score • Liquidity Ratios • Solvency Analysis • Growth Indicators • Efficiency Metrics

Governance

Voting Members

Independent Members

Employees

Volunteers

Governance Policies

✓ Conflict of Interest Policy

✓ Whistleblower Policy

✓ Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

✗ Operated a School

✗ Operated a Hospital

✗ Provided First Class Travel

✗ Reported Conflict of Interest

✗ Reported Asset Diversion

✗ Excess Benefit Transaction

✗ Made Political Expenditures

✗ Engaged in Lobbying

✗ Operated Donor Advised Fund

✗ Maintained Art Collections

✗ Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers

$177,990

Total Directors

Key Employees

Highest Compensated

reported

Name	Title	Hours/Week	Role	Reportable Comp	Other Comp	Total
JOHN ESTERLE	PRESIDENT	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
JOHN CAMPBELL	VICE PRESIDENT	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
DAVID GUBERMAN	TREASURER	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
MCNAMARA BUCK	SECRETARY	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
SHONAK PATEL	DIRECTOR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
STEPHEN QUATRANO	DIRECTOR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
MARY WENDELL	DIRECTOR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
DIANE ENGLANDER	DIRECTOR	1.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
ELIZABETH SMITH	FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR	40.00	Officer	$155,545	$22,445	$177,990
DANIEL ROTHSTEIN	CO-DIRECTOR DEMOCRACY BUILDING	40.00	Highest	$126,580	$14,803	$141,383
LUZ SANTANA	CO-DIRECTOR DEMOCRACY BUILDING	40.00	Highest	$121,590	$12,387	$133,977
CHRISTOPHER ORCHARD	DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS	40.00	Highest	$100,893	$12,418	$113,311
SARAH WESTBROOK	DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING	40.00	Highest	$101,308	$12,148	$113,456

Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Net Income
2025	$1,202,521	$1,672,350	$3,047,884	$-469,829
2024	$1,084,524	$1,605,909	$3,399,935	$-521,385
2023	$1,209,612	$1,442,471	$3,707,628	$-232,859
2022	$3,273,423	$1,348,412	$3,629,655	$1,925,011
2022	$3,228,423	$1,348,412	$3,584,655	$1,880,011
2021	$1,368,260	$1,280,421	$1,723,804	$87,839
2020	$1,405,178	$1,279,868	$1,899,983	$125,310
2019	$758,183	$1,033,220	$1,467,275	$-275,037
2018	$1,251,359	$932,573	$1,751,206	$318,786