Bellwether Foundation Inc
Bellwether Foundation: Strong Asset Growth, but Transparency Lacking
EIN: 222635309 · Saint Louis, MO · Updated: 2026-04-04
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $53.1M |
| Total Expenses | $8.4M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Net Assets | $70.0M |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Is Bellwether Foundation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Bellwether Foundation Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Bellwether Foundation Inc
Bellwether Foundation Inc (EIN: 222635309) is a nonprofit organization based in Saint Louis, MO. The organization reported total revenue of $53.1M and total assets of $73.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Bellwether Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Bellwether Foundation Inc is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 41 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -14.6%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $7.8M |
| Total Expenses | $8.4M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-586,678 |
| Total Assets | $70.0M |
| Total Liabilities | $664 |
| Net Assets | $70.0M |
| Operating Margin | -7.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 99.7 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Bellwether Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $587K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 99.7 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), Bellwether Foundation Inc's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -14.6%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +9.9% | +45.7% | +1.8% |
| 2022 | +52.2% | +54.0% | +6.1% |
| 2021 | -50.0% | +1.0% | +3.7% |
| 2020 | +194.8% | -19.6% | +9.9% |
| 2019 | +74.0% | +8.0% | -0.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1985 |
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 Bellwether 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: 10%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Bellwether Foundation Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 10%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $587K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation cannot be assessed as no specific compensation figures for executives are 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 Bellwether Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data.
- No information on executive compensation is available.
- The provided data does not include details on the nature of their programs or impact.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Bellwether Foundation Inc:
- Consistent asset growth from $56,909,894 in 2019 to $72,970,902 in 2023, indicating strong financial management.
- Revenue has shown significant increases, with a notable jump from $4,688,975 in 2021 to $7,841,135 in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bellwether Foundation Inc
Is Bellwether Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bellwether Foundation Inc (EIN: 222635309) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
How does Bellwether Foundation Inc spend its money?
Bellwether Foundation Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Bellwether Foundation Inc tax-deductible?
Bellwether Foundation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 222635309). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Bellwether Foundation Inc's spending goes to programs?
Bellwether Foundation Inc directs 80% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Bellwether Foundation Inc located?
Bellwether Foundation Inc is headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri and files with the IRS under EIN 222635309.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Bellwether Foundation Inc have?
Bellwether Foundation Inc has 10 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 $53.1M in total revenue.
What does Bellwether Foundation Inc do?
Bellwether Foundation Inc is a nonprofit organization in the Unknown sector, located in Saint Louis, Missouri. It is classified under NTEE code Unknown.
How much revenue does Bellwether Foundation Inc have?
Bellwether Foundation Inc reported total revenue of $53,080,093. Based on 10 IRS 990 filings on record.
What are Bellwether Foundation Inc's total assets?
Bellwether Foundation Inc holds total assets of $72,970,902 as reported in IRS 990 filings.
Where is Bellwether Foundation Inc located?
Bellwether Foundation Inc is based in Saint Louis, Missouri.
What is Bellwether Foundation Inc's EIN?
Bellwether Foundation Inc's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 222635309. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS for tax-exempt organizations.
What type of nonprofit is Bellwether Foundation Inc?
Bellwether Foundation Inc is classified under NTEE code Unknown (Unknown).
Is Bellwether Foundation Inc a registered 501(c)(3)?
Bellwether Foundation Inc appears in IRS records (EIN: 222635309). Check the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for the most current determination letter status.
Does Bellwether Foundation Inc file IRS Form 990?
Yes, Bellwether Foundation Inc has 10 IRS Form 990 filings on record. The most recent covers tax period 202312.
What was Bellwether Foundation Inc's revenue in 2023?
In the 202312 filing period, Bellwether Foundation Inc reported total revenue of $7,841,135, total expenses of $8,427,813, and net assets of $70,041,889.
Is Bellwether Foundation Inc's revenue growing or declining?
Bellwether Foundation Inc's revenue is growing. Revenue went from $7,136,378 (202212) to $7,841,135 (202312), a +9.9% change. Based on 10 filings on record.
What is Bellwether Foundation Inc's most recent 990 filing?
The most recent IRS Form 990 filing for Bellwether Foundation Inc covers tax period 202312. It shows revenue of $7,841,135, expenses of $8,427,813, total assets of $70,041,889, and liabilities of $664.
How much does Bellwether Foundation Inc spend on programs vs administration?
Based on IRS 990 analysis, Bellwether Foundation Inc allocates approximately 80% of expenses to program services, 10% to administrative costs, and 10% to fundraising. This indicates strong program focus.
Is Bellwether Foundation Inc a trustworthy charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 data, Bellwether Foundation Inc appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100 (Good). 3 red flags identified. 2 strengths noted.
What are the red flags for Bellwether Foundation Inc?
The following concerns were identified: Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data.. No information on executive compensation is available.. The provided data does not include details on the nature of their programs or impact.. These flags are based on automated analysis of IRS 990 public filings and should be verified independently.
What are Bellwether Foundation Inc's strengths?
Positive indicators for Bellwether Foundation Inc include: Consistent asset growth from $56,909,894 in 2019 to $72,970,902 in 2023, indicating strong financial management.. Revenue has shown significant increases, with a notable jump from $4,688,975 in 2021 to $7,841,135 in 2023.. These findings are derived from AI analysis of the organization's financial filings.
How does Bellwether Foundation Inc compensate executives?
Executive compensation cannot be assessed as no specific compensation figures for executives are 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 and revenue fluctuations, what is the primary investment strategy employed by Bellwether Foundation to maintain and grow its endowment?
Without further financial statements detailing investment portfolios or strategies, it's impossible to determine the specific investment approach. The consistent asset growth suggests a well-managed, likely diversified, investment strategy.
How does Bellwether Foundation ensure its grantmaking or programmatic activities align with its mission, given the absence of program-specific details in the provided data?
The provided data does not offer insights into the foundation's grantmaking process or specific programmatic activities. A review of their annual reports or website would be necessary to understand their mission alignment and impact measurement.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Bellwether Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Bellwether Foundation Inc's revenue has declined by 84.9%, moving from $52.0M to $7.8M. Total assets increased by 9.6% over the same period, from $63.9M to $70.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 192.6%, from $2.9M to $8.4M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Bellwether Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $587K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $664 in liabilities against $70.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $70.0M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $7.8M | $8.4M | $70.0M | $664 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $7.1M | $5.8M | $68.8M | $848 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $4.7M | $3.8M | $64.9M | $881 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $9.4M | $3.7M | $62.6M | $509 | — | — |
| 2019 | $3.2M | $4.6M | $56.9M | $219 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.8M | $4.3M | $57.2M | $8K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.1M | $4.5M | $59.7M | $8K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $3.2M | $4.3M | $62.1M | $8K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $3.0M | $4.2M | $63.2M | $8K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $52.0M | $2.9M | $63.9M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $7.8M, expenses of $8.4M, and assets of $70.0M (revenue +9.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $7.1M, expenses of $5.8M, and assets of $68.8M (revenue +52.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $4.7M, expenses of $3.8M, and assets of $64.9M (revenue -50.0% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $9.4M, expenses of $3.7M, and assets of $62.6M (revenue +194.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $4.6M, and assets of $56.9M (revenue +74.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $57.2M (revenue -11.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.1M, expenses of $4.5M, and assets of $59.7M (revenue -35.5% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $62.1M (revenue +7.0% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $4.2M, and assets of $63.2M (revenue -94.3% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $52.0M, expenses of $2.9M, and assets of $63.9M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Bellwether Foundation Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Bellwether 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.