Carl Marks Foundation Inc
Carl Marks Foundation consistently operates with minimal liabilities and zero officer compensation, focusing on grant-making.
EIN: 136169215 · Wilmington, DE · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Carl Marks Foundation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Carl Marks Foundation Inc directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Carl Marks Foundation Inc
Carl Marks Foundation Inc (EIN: 136169215) is a nonprofit organization based in Wilmington, DE. The organization reported total revenue of $651K and total assets of $10.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Carl Marks Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Carl Marks Foundation Inc is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 74 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 3.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $871K |
| Total Expenses | $417K |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$454K |
| Total Assets | $10.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $10.8M |
| Operating Margin | 52.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 311.3 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Carl Marks Foundation Inc reported a surplus of $454K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 311.3 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), Carl Marks Foundation Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -65.8% | -72.1% | +4.4% |
| 2022 | +48.6% | +7.3% | +11.4% |
| 2021 | +123.7% | -41.5% | +3.6% |
| 2020 | -1.8% | -6.1% | -15.2% |
| 2019 | -66.5% | +48.1% | -40.9% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1952 |
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 Carl Marks Foundation Inc with a Mission Score of 95 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: 10%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 0%
According to IRS 990 filings, Carl Marks Foundation Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 0%. With 90% 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 surplus of $454K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers or key employees receive salaries from the foundation, which is highly favorable for resource allocation.
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 Carl Marks Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant fluctuations in annual revenue and expenses, though typical for foundations, require deeper analysis of investment performance and grant strategy.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Carl Marks Foundation Inc:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, maximizing funds for charitable purposes.
- Extremely low liabilities (consistently $1), indicating strong financial health and minimal debt.
- Maintains a substantial asset base ($10,520,453), ensuring long-term sustainability for grant-making.
- Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms, demonstrating good transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Carl Marks Foundation Inc
Is Carl Marks Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Carl Marks Foundation Inc (EIN: 136169215) some concerns. Mission Score: 95/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Carl Marks Foundation Inc spend its money?
Carl Marks Foundation Inc directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Carl Marks Foundation Inc tax-deductible?
Carl Marks Foundation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 136169215). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Carl Marks Foundation Inc. a good charity?
Based on its financial data, the Carl Marks Foundation Inc. appears to be a very good charity, particularly for a private foundation. It maintains a strong asset base, has virtually no liabilities, and consistently reports 0% officer compensation, meaning all operational costs are directed towards administrative functions and grant-making.
How does the foundation manage its expenses relative to its revenue?
The foundation's expenses fluctuate, sometimes exceeding revenue (e.g., 202006: Revenue=$767,296, Expenses=$2,377,175), which is common for foundations that draw from their endowment to make grants. However, it consistently maintains a robust asset base (e.g., $10,520,453 current assets), indicating sustainable financial management.
What is the trend in the foundation's assets?
The foundation's assets have fluctuated over the past decade, decreasing from a high of $21,314,888 in 201106 to $10,520,453 currently. While there has been a decline, the current asset level remains substantial and stable, indicating a healthy endowment for future grant-making.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Carl Marks Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Carl Marks Foundation Inc's revenue has grown by 46.3%, moving from $595K to $871K. Total assets decreased by 49.2% over the same period, from $21.3M to $10.8M. Total functional expenses fell by 76.9%, from $1.8M to $417K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Carl Marks Foundation Inc reported a surplus of $454K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $10.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $10.8M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $871K | $417K | $10.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $2.6M | $1.5M | $10.4M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.7M | $1.4M | $9.3M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $767K | $2.4M | $9.0M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $782K | $2.5M | $10.6M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $2.3M | $1.7M | $17.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.9M | $2.0M | $17.3M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $759K | $3.1M | $17.4M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $872K | $2.4M | $19.7M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $595K | $1.8M | $21.3M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $871K, expenses of $417K, and assets of $10.8M (revenue -65.8% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $10.4M (revenue +48.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $9.3M (revenue +123.7% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $767K, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $9.0M (revenue -1.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $782K, expenses of $2.5M, and assets of $10.6M (revenue -66.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $17.9M (revenue +25.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $2.0M, and assets of $17.3M (revenue +145.5% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $759K, expenses of $3.1M, and assets of $17.4M (revenue -13.0% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $872K, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $19.7M (revenue +46.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $595K, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $21.3M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Carl Marks Foundation Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Carl Marks 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.