Charles Edison Fund
Charles Edison Fund: Declining Assets, Consistent Spending
EIN: 221514861 · Newark, NJ · Updated: 2026-04-04
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $6.5M |
| Total Expenses | $2.4M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $0 |
| Net Assets | $11.1M |
| Transparency Score | 70/100 |
Is Charles Edison Fund Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Charles Edison Fund directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Charles Edison Fund
Charles Edison Fund (EIN: 221514861) is a nonprofit organization based in Newark, NJ. The organization reported total revenue of $6.5M and total assets of $11.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Charles Edison Fund's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Charles Edison Fund is a mid-size 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 -3.8%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.2M |
| Total Expenses | $2.4M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-1,226,583 |
| Total Assets | $11.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $743K |
| Net Assets | $11.1M |
| Operating Margin | -100.9% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 6.3% |
| Months of Reserves | 58.1 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Charles Edison Fund reported a deficit of $1.2M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 58.1 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 6.3% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), Charles Edison Fund's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.8%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -33.1% | -0.4% | -8.9% |
| 2022 | -2.6% | -4.4% | -5.5% |
| 2021 | +30.1% | +5.3% | -4.0% |
| 2020 | +48.1% | +10.9% | -7.3% |
| 2019 | -48.5% | -2.6% | -6.1% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1200 |
| 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 Charles Edison Fund with a Mission Score of 70 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: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Charles Edison Fund allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% 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 $1.2M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 6.3%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as $0 across all available filings, indicating no direct compensation to officers, directors, trustees, or key employees from the fund itself.
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 Charles Edison Fund's IRS 990 filings:
- Total assets have shown a consistent decline from $16,997,544 in 2013 to $11,835,719 in 2023.
- Revenue has been highly variable, with a significant drop from $5,547,185 in 2013 to $1,216,140 in 2023, despite relatively stable expenses.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Charles Edison Fund:
- The fund maintains a consistent level of program service expenses, demonstrating ongoing commitment to its mission despite fluctuating revenue.
- Administrative and fundraising costs appear to be very low, suggesting efficient operations.
- The fund has a long history of operation, with filings available back to at least 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions about Charles Edison Fund
Is Charles Edison Fund a legitimate charity?
Charles Edison Fund (EIN: 221514861) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New Jersey. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 70/100. It has 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $6.5M. 2 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Charles Edison Fund spend its money?
Charles Edison Fund directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Charles Edison Fund tax-deductible?
Charles Edison Fund is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 221514861). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Charles Edison Fund CEO make?
Charles Edison Fund's highest-compensated officer earns $0 annually. The organization reported $6.5M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Charles Edison Fund's spending goes to programs?
Charles Edison Fund directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Charles Edison Fund located?
Charles Edison Fund is headquartered in Newark, New Jersey and files with the IRS under EIN 221514861.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Charles Edison Fund have?
Charles Edison Fund 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 $6.5M in total revenue.
What does Charles Edison Fund do?
Charles Edison Fund is a nonprofit organization in the Unknown sector, located in Newark, New Jersey. It is classified under NTEE code Unknown.
How much revenue does Charles Edison Fund have?
Charles Edison Fund reported total revenue of $6,507,917. Based on 10 IRS 990 filings on record.
What are Charles Edison Fund's total assets?
Charles Edison Fund holds total assets of $11,052,950 as reported in IRS 990 filings.
Where is Charles Edison Fund located?
Charles Edison Fund is based in Newark, New Jersey.
What is Charles Edison Fund's EIN?
Charles Edison Fund's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 221514861. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS for tax-exempt organizations.
What type of nonprofit is Charles Edison Fund?
Charles Edison Fund is classified under NTEE code Unknown (Unknown).
Is Charles Edison Fund a registered 501(c)(3)?
Charles Edison Fund appears in IRS records (EIN: 221514861). Check the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for the most current determination letter status.
Does Charles Edison Fund file IRS Form 990?
Yes, Charles Edison Fund has 10 IRS Form 990 filings on record. The most recent covers tax period 202312.
What was Charles Edison Fund's revenue in 2023?
In the 202312 filing period, Charles Edison Fund reported total revenue of $1,216,140, total expenses of $2,442,723, and net assets of $11,835,719.
Is Charles Edison Fund's revenue growing or declining?
Charles Edison Fund's revenue is declining. Revenue went from $1,818,764 (202212) to $1,216,140 (202312), a -33.1% change. Based on 10 filings on record.
What is Charles Edison Fund's most recent 990 filing?
The most recent IRS Form 990 filing for Charles Edison Fund covers tax period 202312. It shows revenue of $1,216,140, expenses of $2,442,723, total assets of $11,835,719, and liabilities of $742,909.
How much does Charles Edison Fund spend on programs vs administration?
Based on IRS 990 analysis, Charles Edison Fund allocates approximately 85% of expenses to program services, 10% to administrative costs, and 5% to fundraising. This indicates strong program focus.
Is Charles Edison Fund a trustworthy charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 data, Charles Edison Fund appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100 (Good). 2 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted.
What are the red flags for Charles Edison Fund?
The following concerns were identified: Total assets have shown a consistent decline from $16,997,544 in 2013 to $11,835,719 in 2023.. Revenue has been highly variable, with a significant drop from $5,547,185 in 2013 to $1,216,140 in 2023, despite relatively stable expenses.. These flags are based on automated analysis of IRS 990 public filings and should be verified independently.
What are Charles Edison Fund's strengths?
Positive indicators for Charles Edison Fund include: The fund maintains a consistent level of program service expenses, demonstrating ongoing commitment to its mission despite fluctuating revenue.. Administrative and fundraising costs appear to be very low, suggesting efficient operations.. The fund has a long history of operation, with filings available back to at least 2013.. These findings are derived from AI analysis of the organization's financial filings.
How does Charles Edison Fund compensate executives?
Executive compensation is reported as $0 across all available filings, indicating no direct compensation to officers, directors, trustees, or key employees from the fund itself. Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require disclosure of officer, director, and key employee pay.
Given the consistent decline in assets and highly variable revenue, how does the Charles Edison Fund plan to sustain its grant-making activities in the long term?
While the filings show consistent expenses, the declining asset base and fluctuating revenue suggest a potential challenge for long-term sustainability if current trends continue. The fund may be drawing down its principal or relying on unpredictable investment returns to cover expenses.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Charles Edison Fund showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Charles Edison Fund's revenue has declined by 37.5%, moving from $1.9M to $1.2M. Total assets decreased by 21.1% over the same period, from $15.0M to $11.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 17.6%, from $2.1M to $2.4M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Charles Edison Fund reported a deficit of $1.2M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $743K in liabilities against $11.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 6.3%), resulting in net assets of $11.1M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.2M | $2.4M | $11.8M | $743K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $1.8M | $2.5M | $13.0M | $589K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.9M | $2.6M | $13.7M | $704K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $1.4M | $2.4M | $14.3M | $574K | — | — |
| 2019 | $969K | $2.2M | $15.4M | $701K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.9M | $2.3M | $16.4M | $487K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.6M | $2.7M | $16.8M | $499K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $5.5M | $2.5M | $17.0M | $628K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.4M | $2.7M | $13.9M | $552K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.9M | $2.1M | $15.0M | $348K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $11.8M (revenue -33.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $2.5M, and assets of $13.0M (revenue -2.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $13.7M (revenue +30.1% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $14.3M (revenue +48.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $969K, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $15.4M (revenue -48.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $16.4M (revenue -28.8% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $16.8M (revenue -52.4% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $5.5M, expenses of $2.5M, and assets of $17.0M (revenue +296.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $13.9M (revenue -28.0% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $15.0M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Charles Edison Fund:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Charles Edison 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.