Barnum Museum Foundation Inc
Barnum Museum Foundation: Strong Asset Growth, but Spending Breakdown Needs Clarity
EIN: 222723433 · Bridgeport, CT · NTEE: A500 · Updated: 2026-04-04
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $3.3M |
| Total Expenses | $679K |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| Net Assets | $4.6M |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Is Barnum Museum Foundation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Barnum Museum Foundation Inc directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Barnum Museum Foundation Inc
Barnum Museum Foundation Inc (EIN: 222723433) is a nonprofit organization based in Bridgeport, CT, classified under NTEE code A500. The organization reported total revenue of $3.3M and total assets of $7.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Barnum Museum Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Barnum Museum Foundation Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 39 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 15.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $3.7M |
| Total Expenses | $679K |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$3.0M |
| Total Assets | $5.7M |
| Total Liabilities | $1.1M |
| Net Assets | $4.6M |
| Operating Margin | 81.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 19.8% |
| Months of Reserves | 101.5 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Barnum Museum Foundation Inc reported a surplus of $3.0M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 101.5 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 19.8% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Barnum Museum Foundation Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +482.3% | +9.9% | +214.5% |
| 2022 | -2.9% | +9.1% | +3.6% |
| 2021 | -13.5% | +2.6% | +1.5% |
| 2020 | +33.6% | -8.9% | +21.7% |
| 2019 | -10.8% | -12.0% | +3.9% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1987 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Barnum Museum Foundation Inc 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: 70%
- fundraising: 15%
According to IRS 990 filings, Barnum Museum Foundation Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 15%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $3.0M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 19.8%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation cannot be assessed as no specific compensation figures for executives or key employees were provided in the available data.
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 Barnum Museum Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Lack of detailed spending breakdown (programs, admin, fundraising) in the provided data makes it difficult to fully evaluate how funds are utilized.
- Absence of executive compensation figures prevents a complete assessment of financial transparency and responsible governance.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Barnum Museum Foundation Inc:
- Significant asset growth from $1,223,733 in 2016 to $7,685,447 in 2023 demonstrates strong financial management and donor confidence.
- Consistent revenue generation, with a notable increase to $3,308,965 in 2023, indicates a healthy funding base.
- The organization maintains a healthy asset-to-liability ratio, with assets of $7,685,447 significantly exceeding liabilities of $1,138,924 in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions about Barnum Museum Foundation Inc
Is Barnum Museum Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Barnum Museum Foundation Inc (EIN: 222723433) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Barnum Museum Foundation Inc spend its money?
Barnum Museum Foundation Inc directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Barnum Museum Foundation Inc tax-deductible?
Barnum Museum Foundation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 222723433). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Barnum Museum Foundation Inc's spending goes to programs?
Barnum Museum Foundation Inc directs 70% to programs, 15% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Barnum Museum Foundation Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 75/100 (Good), Barnum Museum Foundation Inc is above average for NTEE category A500 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Barnum Museum Foundation Inc located?
Barnum Museum Foundation Inc is headquartered in Bridgeport, Connecticut and files with the IRS under EIN 222723433. It is classified under NTEE code A500.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Barnum Museum Foundation Inc have?
Barnum Museum Foundation Inc has 13 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 $3.3M in total revenue.
What does Barnum Museum Foundation Inc do?
Barnum Museum Foundation Inc is a nonprofit organization in the Arts, Culture & Humanities sector, located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It is classified under NTEE code A500.
How much revenue does Barnum Museum Foundation Inc have?
Barnum Museum Foundation Inc reported total revenue of $3,308,965. Based on 13 IRS 990 filings on record.
What are Barnum Museum Foundation Inc's total assets?
Barnum Museum Foundation Inc holds total assets of $7,685,447 as reported in IRS 990 filings.
Where is Barnum Museum Foundation Inc located?
Barnum Museum Foundation Inc is based in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
What is Barnum Museum Foundation Inc's EIN?
Barnum Museum Foundation Inc's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 222723433. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS for tax-exempt organizations.
What type of nonprofit is Barnum Museum Foundation Inc?
Barnum Museum Foundation Inc is classified under NTEE code A500 (Arts, Culture & Humanities).
Is Barnum Museum Foundation Inc a registered 501(c)(3)?
Yes, Barnum Museum Foundation Inc is recognized as a tax-exempt organization by the IRS. EIN: 222723433.
Does Barnum Museum Foundation Inc file IRS Form 990?
Yes, Barnum Museum Foundation Inc has 13 IRS Form 990 filings on record. The most recent covers tax period 202312.
What was Barnum Museum Foundation Inc's revenue in 2023?
In the 202312 filing period, Barnum Museum Foundation Inc reported total revenue of $3,728,261, total expenses of $678,616, and net assets of $5,738,330.
Is Barnum Museum Foundation Inc's revenue growing or declining?
Barnum Museum Foundation Inc's revenue is growing. Revenue went from $640,308 (202212) to $3,728,261 (202312), a +482.3% change. Based on 13 filings on record.
What is Barnum Museum Foundation Inc's most recent 990 filing?
The most recent IRS Form 990 filing for Barnum Museum Foundation Inc covers tax period 202312. It shows revenue of $3,728,261, expenses of $678,616, total assets of $5,738,330, and liabilities of $1,138,924.
How much does Barnum Museum Foundation Inc spend on programs vs administration?
Based on IRS 990 analysis, Barnum Museum Foundation Inc allocates approximately 70% of expenses to program services, 15% to administrative costs, and 15% to fundraising. Program spending is moderate relative to overhead.
Is Barnum Museum Foundation Inc a trustworthy charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 data, Barnum Museum Foundation Inc appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100 (Good). 2 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted.
What are the red flags for Barnum Museum Foundation Inc?
The following concerns were identified: Lack of detailed spending breakdown (programs, admin, fundraising) in the provided data makes it difficult to fully evaluate how funds are utilized.. Absence of executive compensation figures prevents a complete assessment of financial transparency and responsible governance.. These flags are based on automated analysis of IRS 990 public filings and should be verified independently.
What are Barnum Museum Foundation Inc's strengths?
Positive indicators for Barnum Museum Foundation Inc include: Significant asset growth from $1,223,733 in 2016 to $7,685,447 in 2023 demonstrates strong financial management and donor confidence.. Consistent revenue generation, with a notable increase to $3,308,965 in 2023, indicates a healthy funding base.. The organization maintains a healthy asset-to-liability ratio, with assets of $7,685,447 significantly exceeding liabilities of $1,138,924 in 2023.. These findings are derived from AI analysis of the organization's financial filings.
How does Barnum Museum Foundation Inc compensate executives?
Executive compensation cannot be assessed as no specific compensation figures for executives or key employees were provided in the available data. Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require disclosure of officer, director, and key employee pay.
Given the substantial asset growth, what specific strategies has the Barnum Museum Foundation implemented to achieve such significant financial expansion?
The provided data indicates consistent growth in assets and revenue, suggesting successful fundraising efforts and potentially effective investment strategies, though specific details are not available.
How does the Barnum Museum Foundation ensure that its increased financial resources directly translate into enhanced programmatic impact, especially without a detailed spending breakdown?
Without a detailed breakdown of program spending, it's challenging to directly link increased resources to specific programmatic enhancements. Further information on program expenditures would be needed.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Barnum Museum Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Barnum Museum Foundation Inc's revenue has grown by 475.8%, moving from $647K to $3.7M. Total assets increased by 530% over the same period, from $911K to $5.7M. Total functional expenses fell by 26%, from $917K to $679K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Barnum Museum Foundation Inc reported a surplus of $3.0M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $1.1M in liabilities against $5.7M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 19.8%), resulting in net assets of $4.6M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.7M | $679K | $5.7M | $1.1M | — | — |
| 2022 | $640K | $617K | $1.8M | $275K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $659K | $566K | $1.8M | $235K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $762K | $551K | $1.7M | $301K | — | — |
| 2019 | $571K | $605K | $1.4M | $203K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $640K | $688K | $1.4M | $81K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $954K | $752K | $1.4M | $109K | — | — |
| 2016 | $467K | $547K | $1.2M | $87K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $877K | $661K | $1.3M | $113K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.4M | $742K | $1.3M | $298K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $528K | $819K | $456K | $73K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $831K | $938K | $804K | $130K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $647K | $917K | $911K | $131K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $3.7M, expenses of $679K, and assets of $5.7M (revenue +482.3% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $640K, expenses of $617K, and assets of $1.8M (revenue -2.9% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $659K, expenses of $566K, and assets of $1.8M (revenue -13.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $762K, expenses of $551K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue +33.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $571K, expenses of $605K, and assets of $1.4M (revenue -10.8% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $640K, expenses of $688K, and assets of $1.4M (revenue -33.0% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $954K, expenses of $752K, and assets of $1.4M (revenue +104.2% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $467K, expenses of $547K, and assets of $1.2M (revenue -46.7% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $877K, expenses of $661K, and assets of $1.3M (revenue -35.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $742K, and assets of $1.3M (revenue +157.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $528K, expenses of $819K, and assets of $456K (revenue -36.5% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $831K, expenses of $938K, and assets of $804K (revenue +28.4% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $647K, expenses of $917K, and assets of $911K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Barnum Museum Foundation Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Barnum Museum Foundation Inc 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.