Clark Foundation
Clark Foundation maintains substantial assets and stable expenses despite volatile revenue, with no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 135616528 · Cooperstown, NY · NTEE: T21 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $74.1M |
| Total Expenses | $38.3M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $450 |
| Net Assets | $448.8M |
| Transparency Score | 88/100 |
Is Clark Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Clark Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Clark Foundation
Clark Foundation (EIN: 135616528) is a nonprofit organization based in Cooperstown, NY, classified under NTEE code T21. The organization reported total revenue of $74.1M and total assets of $453.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Clark Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Clark Foundation is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 94 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -6.4%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $10.6M |
| Total Expenses | $38.3M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-27,639,830 |
| Total Assets | $449.0M |
| Total Liabilities | $144K |
| Net Assets | $448.8M |
| Operating Margin | -260.4% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 140.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Clark Foundation reported a deficit of $27.6M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 140.8 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), Clark Foundation's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.4%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -85.4% | -3.1% | -5.8% |
| 2022 | +407.3% | +5.0% | +7.5% |
| 2021 | -46.4% | +8.5% | -5.0% |
| 2020 | +60.7% | -9.2% | -1.7% |
| 2019 | -56.2% | +13.6% | -1.4% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1932 |
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 Clark Foundation with a Mission Score of 88 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: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Clark Foundation 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 $27.6M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Clark Foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available IRS 990 filings, suggesting that executive leadership is either unpaid or compensated through mechanisms not categorized as direct officer compensation on these forms, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size with assets exceeding $450 million.
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 Clark Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Unusually high revenue volatility year-over-year, making financial forecasting challenging.
- 0% officer compensation reported across all filings for an organization of this size, which may warrant further investigation into how leadership is compensated or if it's an all-volunteer board.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Clark Foundation:
- Strong asset base, consistently over $400 million, providing significant financial resilience.
- Very low liabilities, indicating minimal debt and strong financial health.
- Consistent IRS 990 filing history, demonstrating good transparency over time.
- Stable expense levels despite revenue fluctuations, suggesting effective cost management.
Frequently Asked Questions about Clark Foundation
Is Clark Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Clark Foundation (EIN: 135616528) some concerns. Mission Score: 88/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Clark Foundation spend its money?
Clark Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Clark Foundation tax-deductible?
Clark Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 135616528). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Clark Foundation CEO make?
Clark Foundation's highest-compensated officer earns $450 annually. The organization reported $74.1M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Clark Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Clark Foundation directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Clark Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 88/100 (Excellent), Clark Foundation is above average for NTEE category T21 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Clark Foundation located?
Clark Foundation is headquartered in Cooperstown, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 135616528. It is classified under NTEE code T21.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Clark Foundation have?
Clark Foundation 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 $74.1M in total revenue.
Is the Clark Foundation financially stable?
Yes, the Clark Foundation appears financially stable, consistently holding over $400 million in assets and maintaining very low liabilities, typically under $150,000, despite fluctuations in annual revenue.
How does the Clark Foundation manage executive compensation?
The Clark Foundation reports 0% officer compensation in all available IRS 990 filings, indicating that its officers are not directly compensated through the mechanisms typically reported in this section.
What is the trend in the Clark Foundation's revenue?
The Clark Foundation's revenue has been highly volatile, ranging from a low of $10,612,557 in 2023 to a high of $90,121,689 in 2013, with no clear consistent trend.
Are the Clark Foundation's expenses well-controlled?
Yes, the Clark Foundation's expenses have remained relatively stable, generally between $28 million and $39 million annually, even with significant revenue fluctuations, suggesting good expense control.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Clark Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Clark Foundation's revenue has declined by 54.9%, moving from $23.5M to $10.6M. Total assets increased by 19.5% over the same period, from $375.8M to $449.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 36.1%, from $28.1M to $38.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Clark Foundation reported a deficit of $27.6M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $144K in liabilities against $449.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $448.8M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $10.6M | $38.3M | $449.0M | $144K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $72.5M | $39.5M | $476.6M | $111K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $14.3M | $37.6M | $443.5M | $8K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $26.6M | $34.6M | $466.8M | $34K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $16.6M | $38.1M | $474.8M | $58K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $37.9M | $33.6M | $481.6M | $55K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $88.0M | $33.2M | $477.4M | $140K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $90.1M | $30.0M | $422.5M | $43K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $15.2M | $28.7M | $362.4M | $21K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $23.5M | $28.1M | $375.8M | $34K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $10.6M, expenses of $38.3M, and assets of $449.0M (revenue -85.4% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $72.5M, expenses of $39.5M, and assets of $476.6M (revenue +407.3% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $14.3M, expenses of $37.6M, and assets of $443.5M (revenue -46.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $26.6M, expenses of $34.6M, and assets of $466.8M (revenue +60.7% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $16.6M, expenses of $38.1M, and assets of $474.8M (revenue -56.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $37.9M, expenses of $33.6M, and assets of $481.6M (revenue -57.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $88.0M, expenses of $33.2M, and assets of $477.4M (revenue -2.4% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $90.1M, expenses of $30.0M, and assets of $422.5M (revenue +493.0% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $15.2M, expenses of $28.7M, and assets of $362.4M (revenue -35.3% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $23.5M, expenses of $28.1M, and assets of $375.8M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Clark Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Clark Foundation 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.