Designing Futures Foundation
Designing Futures Foundation faces significant financial challenges with consistent operating deficits and a substantial decline in assets.
EIN: 200335146 · Marlton, NJ · NTEE: B112 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Designing Futures Foundation Legit?
Significant Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Designing Futures Foundation directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Designing Futures Foundation
Designing Futures Foundation (EIN: 200335146) is a nonprofit organization based in Marlton, NJ, classified under NTEE code B112. The organization reported total revenue of $11.8M and total assets of $128K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Designing Futures Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Designing Futures Foundation with a Mission Score of 45 out of 100 (Fair). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Designing Futures Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation has consistently been reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officer salaries were paid, which is a positive sign for resource allocation directly to the organization's mission.
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 Designing Futures Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits where expenses exceed revenue (e.g., $1,724,473 expenses vs. $542,656 revenue in 2021).
- Dramatic decline in assets from $13,339,275 in 2013 to $128,107 in 2021.
- Significant discrepancy between 'Latest Revenue' ($11,777,817) and 2021 reported revenue ($542,656) without clear explanation.
- High liabilities relative to assets in some periods (e.g., 2020: Assets $10,428,204, Liabilities $9,216,304).
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Designing Futures Foundation:
- Zero officer compensation reported across all available filings, indicating resources are not used for executive salaries.
- Long filing history (11 filings) suggests consistent compliance with IRS reporting requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions about Designing Futures Foundation
Is Designing Futures Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Designing Futures Foundation (EIN: 200335146) significant concerns. Mission Score: 45/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
How does Designing Futures Foundation spend its money?
Designing Futures Foundation directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Designing Futures Foundation tax-deductible?
Designing Futures Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 200335146). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What caused the dramatic decrease in assets from $13,339,275 in 2013 to $128,107 in 2021?
The provided data shows a consistent decline in assets over the years, from a peak in 2013 to a significantly lower value in 2021. This substantial reduction requires further investigation into asset disposition or losses.
How does the organization plan to address its consistent operating deficits, where expenses frequently exceed revenue?
In multiple recent periods (e.g., 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017), expenses have been higher than revenue, indicating a pattern of deficit spending that is unsustainable without significant changes.
What is the nature of the 'Latest Revenue' of $11,777,817, given the 2021 revenue was only $542,656?
There is a significant discrepancy between the 'Latest Revenue' figure and the revenue reported in the most recent annual filing (2021). Clarification is needed to understand this substantial difference, which could represent a major grant, sale of assets, or a different reporting period.
What are the specific program activities and their associated costs, given the lack of detailed expense breakdowns?
Without a detailed breakdown of program service expenses, it is difficult to assess the efficiency and impact of the organization's core mission activities.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Designing Futures Foundation showing financial trends over 11 years of public records:
Over 11 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2021), Designing Futures Foundation's revenue has declined by 66.8%, moving from $1.6M to $543K. Total assets decreased by 98.7% over the same period, from $10.0M to $128K. Total functional expenses rose by 23.1%, from $1.4M to $1.7M. In its most recent filing year (2021), Designing Futures Foundation reported a deficit of $1.2M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $98K in liabilities against $128K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 76.5%), resulting in net assets of $30K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $543K | $1.7M | $128K | $98K | — | — |
| 2020 | $1.1M | $1.2M | $10.4M | $9.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.2M | $1.4M | $10.5M | $9.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.2M | $1.4M | $10.8M | $9.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $1.4M | $2.3M | $11.5M | $9.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $1.9M | $1.8M | $12.5M | $9.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.0M | $900K | $12.9M | $10.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.8M | $1.7M | $12.9M | $10.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $2.7M | $2.1M | $13.3M | $10.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.8M | $1.2M | $10.0M | $8.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.6M | $1.4M | $10.0M | $8.8M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2021: Revenue of $543K, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $128K (revenue -49.0% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $10.4M (revenue -11.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $10.5M (revenue +4.6% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $10.8M (revenue -19.0% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $11.5M (revenue -23.5% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $12.5M (revenue +86.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $900K, and assets of $12.9M (revenue -44.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $12.9M (revenue -34.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $13.3M (revenue +49.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $10.0M (revenue +12.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $10.0M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Designing Futures 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.