Dhanam Foundation
Dhanam Foundation maintains substantial assets with zero reported officer compensation amidst volatile revenue streams.
EIN: 201914298 · Palo Alto, CA · NTEE: T20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Dhanam Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Dhanam Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Dhanam Foundation
Dhanam Foundation (EIN: 201914298) is a nonprofit organization based in Palo Alto, CA, classified under NTEE code T20. The organization reported total revenue of $89.9M and total assets of $254.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Dhanam 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 Dhanam Foundation 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: 5%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Dhanam Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 5%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 5%. With 90% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Dhanam Foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries are paid to officers, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size and asset base ($254,200,286). This suggests either a volunteer-led executive team or that executive compensation is reported under other expense categories, which would warrant further investigation.
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 Dhanam Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Highly volatile revenue streams, making financial planning challenging.
- Consistent 0% officer compensation for an organization with $254M in assets, which is unusual and may indicate compensation is reported elsewhere or a unique operational model.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Dhanam Foundation:
- Strong asset base of $254,200,286, providing significant financial stability.
- Extremely low liabilities, often reported as $0 or $1, indicating minimal debt.
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, suggesting resources are not allocated to executive salaries.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dhanam Foundation
Is Dhanam Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Dhanam Foundation (EIN: 201914298) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Dhanam Foundation spend its money?
Dhanam Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Dhanam Foundation tax-deductible?
Dhanam Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 201914298). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How does Dhanam Foundation manage its operations with 0% reported officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests that the organization's leadership may be entirely volunteer-based, or that executive compensation is categorized differently within their financial statements, which would require a deeper dive into their detailed expense breakdowns.
What is the primary source of Dhanam Foundation's highly fluctuating revenue?
The provided data shows significant revenue volatility, ranging from $4.6 million to $48.7 million. Understanding the primary sources (e.g., grants, investments, donations) would be crucial to assess the sustainability and predictability of its funding.
What are the specific program activities Dhanam Foundation undertakes given its NTEE code T20?
The NTEE code T20 typically relates to 'Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations'. Further details on their specific grantmaking or philanthropic initiatives would clarify their direct impact.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Dhanam Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Dhanam Foundation's revenue has grown by 481.2%, moving from $4.6M to $27.0M. Total assets increased by 55.4% over the same period, from $156.6M to $243.3M. Total functional expenses rose by 224.1%, from $8.7M to $28.0M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Dhanam Foundation reported a deficit of $1.0M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $243.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $243.3M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $27.0M | $28.0M | $243.3M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $12.3M | $27.0M | $244.3M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $48.7M | $21.3M | $259.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $5.0M | $15.6M | $230.7M | $215K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $22.5M | $19.9M | $240.5M | $1 | — | — |
| 2015 | $21.3M | $15.0M | $233.8M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $26.6M | $8.6M | $226.3M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $29.8M | $14.8M | $208.3M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $46.8M | $10.3M | $193.1M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $4.6M | $8.7M | $156.6M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $27.0M, expenses of $28.0M, and assets of $243.3M (revenue +120.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $12.3M, expenses of $27.0M, and assets of $244.3M (revenue -74.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $48.7M, expenses of $21.3M, and assets of $259.1M (revenue +883.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $5.0M, expenses of $15.6M, and assets of $230.7M (revenue -78.0% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $22.5M, expenses of $19.9M, and assets of $240.5M (revenue +5.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $21.3M, expenses of $15.0M, and assets of $233.8M (revenue -19.7% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $26.6M, expenses of $8.6M, and assets of $226.3M (revenue -10.8% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $29.8M, expenses of $14.8M, and assets of $208.3M (revenue -36.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $46.8M, expenses of $10.3M, and assets of $193.1M (revenue +906.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $4.6M, expenses of $8.7M, and assets of $156.6M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Dhanam 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.