Donald E Nielsen Foundation Inc

Donald E Nielsen Foundation shows asset growth but volatile revenue and recent expense overruns.

EIN: 202629290 · Oakland, NE · NTEE: T22 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$5.2MRevenue

$16.5MAssets

75/100Mission Score (Good)

T22

About Donald E Nielsen Foundation Inc

Donald E Nielsen Foundation Inc (EIN: 202629290) is a nonprofit organization based in Oakland, NE, classified under NTEE code T22. The organization reported total revenue of $5.2M and total assets of $16.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Donald E Nielsen Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Donald E Nielsen Foundation Inc. exhibits a mixed financial picture. While the organization consistently reports minimal liabilities ($1 across all filings), indicating strong financial stability in terms of debt, its revenue has been highly volatile, including a significant negative revenue of $-189,676 in the 202308 period. This volatility, coupled with expenses often exceeding revenue in recent years (e.g., 202308 expenses of $1,498,722 against negative revenue), suggests reliance on its substantial asset base, which stood at $19,604,858 in 202308. The foundation's assets have generally grown over the long term, from $7,689,776 in 201108 to $19,604,858 in 202308, but have seen a decline from a peak of $24,165,350 in 202008.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all periods is a strong indicator of efficient use of funds at the executive level and suggests a volunteer-driven or very lean leadership structure. The foundation's consistent and minimal liabilities also point to sound financial management regarding debt.

Transparency is generally good given the availability of 10 years of IRS 990 filings. The consistent reporting of key financial metrics allows for a historical analysis of its financial trends. The absence of officer compensation is a positive transparency signal, indicating that executive pay is not a drain on resources. However, without a detailed functional expense breakdown, it's challenging to fully evaluate how efficiently total expenses are allocated to its mission.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Donald E Nielsen Foundation Inc 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, Donald E Nielsen Foundation Inc 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.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Executive compensation is consistently reported at 0% across all available filings, indicating that officers are either unpaid volunteers or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is highly favorable 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 Donald E Nielsen Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:

Significant revenue volatility, including negative revenue of $-189,676 in 202308.
Expenses frequently exceed revenue in recent periods (e.g., 202308 expenses of $1,498,722 against negative revenue; 202208 expenses of $1,378,501 against revenue of $706,254).
Decline in assets from a peak of $24,165,350 in 202008 to $19,604,858 in 202308.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Donald E Nielsen Foundation Inc:

Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds at the executive level.
Maintains extremely low liabilities ($1 across all filings), demonstrating strong financial health regarding debt.
Significant and growing asset base over the long term, providing financial stability and capacity.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (10 filings), indicating consistent transparency.

Frequently Asked Questions about Donald E Nielsen Foundation Inc

Is the Donald E Nielsen Foundation Inc. financially stable?

Yes, despite revenue volatility and recent expense overruns, the foundation appears financially stable due to its substantial asset base ($19,604,858 in 202308) and consistently minimal liabilities ($1).

How has the foundation's asset base changed over time?

The foundation's assets have grown significantly over the long term, from $7,689,776 in 201108 to $19,604,858 in 202308, though they have decreased from a peak of $24,165,350 in 202008.

Does the foundation pay its officers?

Based on the provided IRS 990 data, officer compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all 10 filings, suggesting officers are not compensated or are volunteers.

What caused the negative revenue in 202308?

The provided data does not specify the exact cause of the negative revenue of $-189,676 in 202308, but it could be due to investment losses, asset write-downs, or significant returns/allowances.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Donald E Nielsen Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:

Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Donald E Nielsen Foundation Inc's revenue has declined by 125%, moving from $760K to $-189,676. Total assets increased by 154.9% over the same period, from $7.7M to $19.6M. Total functional expenses rose by 150.9%, from $597K to $1.5M. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $19.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $19.6M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$-189,676	$1.5M	$19.6M	$1	—	View 990
2022	$706K	$1.4M	$21.3M	$1	—	View 990
2021	$3.2M	$1.9M	$21.5M	$1	—	View 990
2020	$146K	$1.0M	$24.2M	$1	—	View 990
2019	$2.9M	$1.1M	$23.0M	$1	—	View 990
2015	$2.5M	$1.2M	$14.0M	$1	—	View 990
2014	$1.6M	$836K	$14.9M	$1	—	View 990
2013	$1.4M	$677K	$14.0M	$1	—	View 990
2012	$3.7M	$427K	$12.1M	$1	—	View 990
2011	$760K	$597K	$7.7M	$1	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $-189,676, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $19.6M (revenue -126.9% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $706K, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $21.3M (revenue -78.3% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $21.5M (revenue +2124.4% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $146K, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $24.2M (revenue -95.0% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $2.9M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $23.0M (revenue +17.2% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $14.0M (revenue +58.9% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $836K, and assets of $14.9M (revenue +10.8% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $677K, and assets of $14.0M (revenue -61.5% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $3.7M, expenses of $427K, and assets of $12.1M (revenue +381.9% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $760K, expenses of $597K, and assets of $7.7M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Donald E Nielsen Foundation Inc 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.