Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research

Alex Tanous Foundation maintains stable assets and zero officer compensation amidst fluctuating revenue.

EIN: 10456596 · Portland, ME · Updated: 2026-03-28

$193KRevenue
$549KAssets
85/100Mission Score (Excellent)
Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research Financial Summary
MetricValue
Total Revenue$193K
Total Expenses$31K
Program Spending85%
Net Assets$494K
Transparency Score85/100

Is Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research Legit?

Appears Legitimate

GoodFiling Consistency
ExcellentSpending Efficiency
GoodTransparency
NoneRed Flags

Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →

Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.

About Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research

Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research (EIN: 10456596) is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, ME. The organization reported total revenue of $193K and total assets of $549K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

Organization Overview

33Years Operating
SmallSize Classification
7Years of Filings
MixedRevenue Trajectory

Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 33 years, with 7 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2021). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 19.9%.

Key Financial Metrics (2021)

From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:

Total Revenue$65K
Total Expenses$31K
Surplus / Deficit+$34K
Total Assets$494K
Total Liabilities$1
Net Assets$494K
Operating Margin52.0%
Debt-to-Asset Ratio0.0%
Months of Reserves191.2 months

Financial Health Grade: A

In 2021, Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research reported a surplus of $34K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 191.2 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).

Financial Trends

Over 7 years of filings (2012–2021), Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.9%.

YearRevenue ChangeExpense ChangeAsset Change
2021+128.8%+39.0%+7.2%
2020+904.3%-6.2%+15.0%
2016-93.6%-19.4%-4.9%
2015+65.5%+13.9%+3.5%
2014-19.6%-6.2%+0.2%

IRS Tax-Exempt Classification

IRS Classification Codes1000
IRS Ruling Date1993

Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.

AI Transparency Report

The Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research demonstrates a consistent, albeit modest, financial profile. Over the past decade, the organization has maintained a stable asset base, growing from $400,792 in 2012 to $548,982 currently. Revenue has fluctuated, with a notable peak of $192,981 in the latest period, significantly higher than previous years. Expenses have generally remained low, ranging from $22,285 to $30,975 in recent filings, indicating a lean operational structure. The foundation consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds for its stated mission. This suggests a commitment to directing resources towards its programs rather than administrative overhead. While the organization's NTEE code is unknown, making direct peer comparison difficult, its financial trends suggest a well-managed, small-scale operation. The significant increase in revenue in the latest period warrants further investigation to understand its source and sustainability. The low liabilities across all reported periods further underscore financial stability. The absence of officer compensation is a key strength in terms of transparency and efficiency, as it ensures that all revenue is available for programmatic or operational needs. Overall, the foundation appears financially sound and operates with a high degree of spending efficiency, particularly given its consistent zero officer compensation. Its transparency is good in terms of financial reporting, but the lack of an NTEE code and detailed program spending breakdown in the provided data limits a deeper analysis of its programmatic impact relative to its mission.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research with a Mission Score of 85 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: 15%
  • programs: 85%
  • fundraising: 0%

According to IRS 990 filings, Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 0%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Key Financial Metrics (2021)

From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:

$65KTotal Revenue
$31KTotal Expenses
$494KTotal Assets
$1Total Liabilities
$494KNet Assets
  • The organization reported a surplus of $34K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
  • Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Executive compensation has consistently been reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that the organization's leadership is entirely volunteer-based, which is highly efficient for an organization of its size.

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 Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research:

  • Consistent zero officer compensation, indicating volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds.
  • Stable and growing asset base, from $400,792 in 2012 to $548,982 currently.
  • Low liabilities across all reported periods, indicating strong financial health.
  • Lean operational expenses, generally staying below $31,000 in recent years.

Frequently Asked Questions about Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research

Is Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research a legitimate charity?

Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research (EIN: 10456596) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Maine. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 85/100. It has 7 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $193K. No red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.

How does Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research spend its money?

Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.

Are donations to Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research tax-deductible?

Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 10456596). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.

Where is Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research located?

Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research is headquartered in Portland, Maine and files with the IRS under EIN 10456596.

How many years of IRS 990 filings does Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research have?

Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research has 7 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 $193K in total revenue.

What is the primary source of the significant revenue increase in the latest period ($192,981)?

The provided data does not specify the source of the latest revenue increase, but it is a substantial jump from previous years (e.g., $64,535 in 2021).

What specific programs does the Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research fund?

The provided IRS 990 data does not detail specific programs, only overall expenses. Further investigation into their website or full 990 forms would be needed.

How does the organization manage to operate with zero officer compensation?

The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests that the foundation's leadership and executive functions are performed by volunteers, which is a significant cost-saving measure.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research showing financial trends over 7 years of public records:

Over 7 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2021), Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research's revenue has grown by 410.9%, moving from $13K to $65K. Total assets increased by 23.2% over the same period, from $401K to $494K. Total functional expenses rose by 32%, from $23K to $31K. In its most recent filing year (2021), Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research reported a surplus of $34K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $494K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $494K.

YearRevenueExpensesAssetsLiabilitiesOfficer Comp. %PDF
2021 $65K $31K $494K $1
2020 $28K $22K $461K $458
2016 $3K $24K $400K $165 View 990
2015 $44K $29K $421K $60 View 990
2014 $26K $26K $407K $100 View 990
2013 $33K $28K $406K $36 View 990
2012 $13K $23K $401K $35 View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

  • 2021: Revenue of $65K, expenses of $31K, and assets of $494K (revenue +128.8% year-over-year).
  • 2020: Revenue of $28K, expenses of $22K, and assets of $461K (revenue +904.3% year-over-year).
  • 2016: Revenue of $3K, expenses of $24K, and assets of $400K (revenue -93.6% year-over-year).
  • 2015: Revenue of $44K, expenses of $29K, and assets of $421K (revenue +65.5% year-over-year).
  • 2014: Revenue of $26K, expenses of $26K, and assets of $407K (revenue -19.6% year-over-year).
  • 2013: Revenue of $33K, expenses of $28K, and assets of $406K (revenue +160.6% year-over-year).
  • 2012: Revenue of $13K, expenses of $23K, and assets of $401K.

View Individual Filing Years

Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research:

2021 Filing 2020 Filing 2016 Filing 2015 Filing 2014 Filing 2013 Filing 2012 Filing

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Alex Tanous Foundation For Scientific Research 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.

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