Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation
Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation consistently reports zero officer compensation amidst fluctuating revenues and recurring deficit spending.
EIN: 20754855 · Harper Woods, MI · NTEE: A68 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $4.3M |
| Total Expenses | $4.5M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $3 |
| Net Assets | $371K |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Is Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation
Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation (EIN: 20754855) is a nonprofit organization based in Harper Woods, MI, classified under NTEE code A68. The organization reported total revenue of $4.3M and total assets of $365K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 20 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 3.6%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $4.0M |
| Total Expenses | $4.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-472,435 |
| Total Assets | $371K |
| Net Assets | $371K |
| Operating Margin | -11.8% |
| Months of Reserves | 1.0 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation reported a deficit of $472K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 1.0 months of operating reserves (limited).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -0.1% | +5.2% | -56.0% |
| 2022 | +16.4% | +43.3% | -22.6% |
| 2021 | -5.3% | -6.7% | +76.5% |
| 2020 | -20.6% | -33.3% | +197.7% |
| 2019 | -5.1% | -2.5% | -41.9% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2006 |
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 Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation with a Mission Score of 75 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, Detroit Jazz Festival 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 $472K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization with annual revenues exceeding $3 million and suggests executive leadership may be compensated through other mechanisms or is entirely volunteer-based.
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 Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation for an organization of this size, which may obscure true executive compensation costs.
- Recurring deficit spending in recent years (e.g., 2023 and 2022), indicating expenses frequently exceed revenue.
- Significant fluctuations in asset base, suggesting limited financial reserves and potential vulnerability to economic shifts.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation:
- Consistent reporting of zero officer compensation, indicating a potential commitment to minimizing overhead or reliance on volunteer leadership.
- Generally low reported liabilities, with most years showing $0, indicating responsible debt management.
- Long filing history (13 filings), demonstrating sustained operation and compliance with IRS reporting requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions about Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation
Is Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation (EIN: 20754855) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation spend its money?
Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation tax-deductible?
Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 20754855). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation CEO make?
Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation's highest-compensated officer earns $3 annually. The organization reported $4.3M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 75/100 (Good), Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation is above average for NTEE category A68 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation located?
Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation is headquartered in Harper Woods, Michigan and files with the IRS under EIN 20754855. It is classified under NTEE code A68.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation have?
Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation has 13 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 $4.3M in total revenue.
How does the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation compensate its executive leadership if officer compensation is consistently reported as $0?
The IRS 990 filings consistently show $0 for officer compensation. This could mean executive leadership is entirely volunteer, compensated through a related entity, or through contractor fees not reported as officer compensation on the 990.
Why has the organization frequently operated with expenses exceeding revenue in recent years?
In 2023, expenses ($4,461,950) exceeded revenue ($3,989,515), and similarly in 2022 ($4,240,783 expenses vs. $3,994,104 revenue). This trend suggests the organization may be drawing down reserves or relying on future funding to cover current operational costs.
What is the organization's strategy for building financial reserves, given its fluctuating asset base?
The asset base has varied significantly, from $1,089,629 in 2021 to $364,519 currently. A clear strategy for building and maintaining adequate reserves would enhance long-term financial stability.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation's revenue has grown by 52.6%, moving from $2.6M to $4.0M. Total assets increased by 114.8% over the same period, from $173K to $371K. Total functional expenses rose by 50.8%, from $3.0M to $4.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation reported a deficit of $472K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $4.0M | $4.5M | $371K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $4.0M | $4.2M | $843K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $3.4M | $3.0M | $1.1M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $3.6M | $3.2M | $617K | $0 | — | — |
| 2019 | $4.6M | $4.8M | $207K | $41K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $4.8M | $4.9M | $357K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $4.9M | $4.9M | $427K | $0 | — | — |
| 2016 | $4.4M | $4.1M | $450K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $3.7M | $3.8M | $229K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $3.6M | $3.8M | $318K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $4.0M | $3.8M | $594K | $16K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $4.0M | $3.8M | $435K | $17K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $2.6M | $3.0M | $173K | $13K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $4.0M, expenses of $4.5M, and assets of $371K (revenue -0.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $4.0M, expenses of $4.2M, and assets of $843K (revenue +16.4% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $3.4M, expenses of $3.0M, and assets of $1.1M (revenue -5.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $3.6M, expenses of $3.2M, and assets of $617K (revenue -20.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $4.6M, expenses of $4.8M, and assets of $207K (revenue -5.1% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $4.8M, expenses of $4.9M, and assets of $357K (revenue -1.2% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $4.9M, expenses of $4.9M, and assets of $427K (revenue +11.7% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $4.4M, expenses of $4.1M, and assets of $450K (revenue +17.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $3.7M, expenses of $3.8M, and assets of $229K (revenue +4.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $3.6M, expenses of $3.8M, and assets of $318K (revenue -10.0% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $4.0M, expenses of $3.8M, and assets of $594K (revenue -1.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $4.0M, expenses of $3.8M, and assets of $435K (revenue +53.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $3.0M, and assets of $173K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Detroit Jazz Festival 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.