Cogswell Benevolent Trust
Cogswell Benevolent Trust consistently distributes more than its annual revenue, drawing from a substantial and growing asset base.
EIN: 20235690 · Bedford, NH · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $18.5M |
| Total Expenses | $2.6M |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| Net Assets | $31.9M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Cogswell Benevolent Trust Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Cogswell Benevolent Trust directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Cogswell Benevolent Trust
Cogswell Benevolent Trust (EIN: 20235690) is a nonprofit organization based in Bedford, NH. The organization reported total revenue of $18.5M and total assets of $33.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Cogswell Benevolent Trust's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Cogswell Benevolent Trust is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 95 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 2.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.6M |
| Total Expenses | $2.6M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-1,045,171 |
| Total Assets | $31.9M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $31.9M |
| Operating Margin | -65.2% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 144.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Cogswell Benevolent Trust reported a deficit of $1.0M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 144.6 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), Cogswell Benevolent Trust's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +8.0% | +19.3% | -3.2% |
| 2022 | -73.6% | +2.2% | -2.2% |
| 2021 | +75.8% | +8.0% | +11.4% |
| 2020 | +42.0% | -5.9% | +4.1% |
| 2019 | +72.5% | +6.5% | +1.4% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1270 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1931 |
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 Cogswell Benevolent Trust with a Mission Score of 85 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: 8%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 2%
According to IRS 990 filings, Cogswell Benevolent Trust allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 8%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 2%. 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 deficit of $1.0M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that the organization's officers are either unpaid volunteers or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which is a positive 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 Cogswell Benevolent Trust's IRS 990 filings:
- NTEE code is unknown, making it difficult to benchmark against similar organizations.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Cogswell Benevolent Trust:
- Strong and growing asset base ($33.1 million latest assets)
- Consistently low liabilities (often $1 across filings)
- 0% reported officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for mission
- Consistent distribution of funds, often exceeding annual revenue, demonstrating active mission fulfillment
- Long history of stable financial operations (10 years of filings provided)
Frequently Asked Questions about Cogswell Benevolent Trust
Is Cogswell Benevolent Trust a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Cogswell Benevolent Trust (EIN: 20235690) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Cogswell Benevolent Trust spend its money?
Cogswell Benevolent Trust directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Cogswell Benevolent Trust tax-deductible?
Cogswell Benevolent Trust is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 20235690). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Cogswell Benevolent Trust's spending goes to programs?
Cogswell Benevolent Trust directs 90% to programs, 2% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Cogswell Benevolent Trust located?
Cogswell Benevolent Trust is headquartered in Bedford, New Hampshire and files with the IRS under EIN 20235690.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Cogswell Benevolent Trust have?
Cogswell Benevolent Trust 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 $18.5M in total revenue.
Is Cogswell Benevolent Trust a good charity?
Based on the financial data, Cogswell Benevolent Trust appears to be a financially sound organization with a strong asset base and a consistent history of distributing funds. The 0% officer compensation is a significant positive indicator of efficient resource use.
How does Cogswell Benevolent Trust manage its finances?
The trust manages its finances by maintaining a large asset base (over $30 million) and consistently distributing funds, often exceeding annual revenue, which is characteristic of an endowment-based benevolent trust. Liabilities are consistently minimal, indicating strong financial control.
What is the trend in Cogswell Benevolent Trust's assets?
The trust's assets have shown a positive growth trend, increasing from $25.4 million in 2011 to $31.8 million in 2023, demonstrating long-term financial stability and growth.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Cogswell Benevolent Trust showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Cogswell Benevolent Trust's revenue has grown by 29.8%, moving from $1.2M to $1.6M. Total assets increased by 25.2% over the same period, from $25.5M to $31.9M. Total functional expenses rose by 75.3%, from $1.5M to $2.6M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Cogswell Benevolent Trust reported a deficit of $1.0M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $31.9M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $31.9M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.6M | $2.6M | $31.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $1.5M | $2.2M | $32.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $5.6M | $2.2M | $33.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $3.2M | $2.0M | $30.2M | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $2.3M | $2.1M | $29.0M | $1 | — | — |
| 2015 | $1.3M | $2.0M | $28.6M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.1M | $1.9M | $29.4M | $60K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $4.9M | $1.8M | $29.2M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $2.1M | $1.5M | $26.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.2M | $1.5M | $25.5M | $1 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $31.9M (revenue +8.0% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $32.9M (revenue -73.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $5.6M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $33.7M (revenue +75.8% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $2.0M, and assets of $30.2M (revenue +42.0% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $29.0M (revenue +72.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $2.0M, and assets of $28.6M (revenue -37.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.1M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $29.4M (revenue -57.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $4.9M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $29.2M (revenue +127.5% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $2.1M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $26.1M (revenue +73.8% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $25.5M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Cogswell Benevolent Trust:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Cogswell Benevolent Trust 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.