Argus Fund
Argus Fund consistently operates at a deficit, drawing on substantial assets while reporting no officer compensation.
EIN: 205045447 · Doylestown, PA · NTEE: T22 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Argus Fund Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Argus Fund directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Argus Fund
Argus Fund (EIN: 205045447) is a nonprofit organization based in Doylestown, PA, classified under NTEE code T22. The organization reported total revenue of $5.5M and total assets of $17.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Argus Fund's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Argus Fund with a Mission Score of 75 out of 100 (Good). 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: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Argus Fund allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Argus Fund consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization with assets exceeding $17 million. This suggests either a fully volunteer executive leadership or that compensation is categorized differently, requiring further scrutiny to understand true administrative overhead.
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.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Argus Fund's IRS 990 filings:
- Frequent operational deficits (7 out of 10 periods)
- Unusually low revenue relative to substantial assets in recent years
- 0% officer compensation reported, which may obscure true administrative costs
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Argus Fund:
- Strong financial stability with substantial assets ($17,456,148) and very low liabilities ($727 in 2023)
- Consistent IRS 990 filing history, indicating transparency in reporting
- No reported officer compensation, suggesting low executive overhead if accurate
Frequently Asked Questions about Argus Fund
Is Argus Fund a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Argus Fund (EIN: 205045447) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Argus Fund spend its money?
Argus Fund directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Argus Fund tax-deductible?
Argus Fund is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 205045447). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How does Argus Fund cover its operational deficits?
The organization frequently reports expenses exceeding revenue, such as in 2023 where expenses were $1,098,025 against revenues of $542,402. This suggests they are likely drawing from their substantial asset base ($17,246,375 in 2023) to cover operational shortfalls.
What is the nature of the 0% officer compensation reported?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is unusual for an organization of this size and asset base. It warrants investigation into whether executive functions are entirely volunteer-based or if compensation is reported under different expense categories.
What are the specific program activities of Argus Fund?
Without a detailed program expense breakdown from the 990, it's difficult to ascertain the specific activities. However, the NTEE code T22 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations) suggests its primary activities involve grantmaking or supporting other nonprofits.
Is Argus Fund's financial model sustainable given its recurring deficits?
While the organization has substantial assets ($17,456,148 latest reported), consistently operating at a deficit (7 out of 10 periods) is not sustainable long-term without a strategy to increase revenue or reduce expenses, as it depletes the asset base over time.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Argus Fund showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Argus Fund's revenue has declined by 63.1%, moving from $1.5M to $542K. Total assets decreased by 17.1% over the same period, from $20.8M to $17.2M. Total functional expenses fell by 3.5%, from $1.1M to $1.1M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Argus Fund reported a deficit of $556K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $727 in liabilities against $17.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $17.2M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $542K | $1.1M | $17.2M | $727 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $602K | $782K | $17.8M | $1K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.7M | $1.5M | $18.0M | $2K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $742K | $1.5M | $18.0M | $360 | — | — |
| 2019 | $860K | $999K | $18.7M | $292 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.4M | $1.2M | $20.3M | $3K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.3M | $1.6M | $20.5M | $5K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.9M | $1.5M | $20.8M | $99 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.1M | $1.5M | $20.4M | $2K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.5M | $1.1M | $20.8M | $1K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $542K, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $17.2M (revenue -9.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $602K, expenses of $782K, and assets of $17.8M (revenue -63.7% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $18.0M (revenue +123.7% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $742K, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $18.0M (revenue -13.7% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $860K, expenses of $999K, and assets of $18.7M (revenue -36.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $20.3M (revenue +3.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $20.5M (revenue -31.8% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $20.8M (revenue +70.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $20.4M (revenue -23.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $20.8M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Argus Fund 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.