Elfenworks Foundation
Elfenworks Foundation shows consistent operations and zero reported officer compensation over a decade.
EIN: 205522254 · San Mateo, CA · NTEE: T20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
About Elfenworks Foundation
Elfenworks Foundation (EIN: 205522254) is a nonprofit organization based in San Mateo, CA, classified under NTEE code T20. The organization reported total revenue of $4.1M and total assets of $5.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Elfenworks 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 Elfenworks 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: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Elfenworks Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Elfenworks Foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all ten available IRS 990 filings, indicating that no compensation was paid to officers, directors, trustees, or key employees, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size and asset base.
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 Elfenworks Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation, which is highly unusual for an organization with millions in assets and revenue, potentially indicating undisclosed compensation structures or significant reliance on unpaid leadership.
- Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data makes it difficult to fully assess spending efficiency.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Elfenworks Foundation:
- Consistent financial reporting over a decade.
- Growing assets, reaching $2,610,390 in 2023, indicating financial stability.
- Minimal liabilities ($11,477 in 2023) relative to assets, suggesting a strong balance sheet.
- Positive net income in recent years (e.g., $1,782,556 revenue vs. $957,059 expenses in 2023).
Frequently Asked Questions about Elfenworks Foundation
How does Elfenworks Foundation manage to operate without reporting any officer compensation?
The provided data consistently shows 0% officer compensation, which could imply that leadership roles are filled by volunteers, or compensation is structured in a way not reported under 'officer compensation' on the 990, or it's covered by another entity. Further investigation into their specific operational model would be needed.
What is the primary source of Elfenworks Foundation's revenue, given its fluctuations?
The provided data only shows total revenue figures, not their sources. To understand the primary revenue streams (e.g., grants, contributions, investment income), one would need to examine the detailed revenue sections of their IRS 990 forms.
What are the specific program activities Elfenworks Foundation engages in?
The NTEE code T20 indicates 'Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations'. While this gives a general idea, the specific programs and initiatives funded or operated by Elfenworks Foundation are not detailed in the provided financial summary and would require reviewing their full 990s or website.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Elfenworks Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Elfenworks Foundation's revenue has grown by 268.9%, moving from $483K to $1.8M. Total assets decreased by 26.5% over the same period, from $3.5M to $2.6M. Total functional expenses fell by 23.5%, from $1.3M to $957K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Elfenworks Foundation reported a surplus of $825K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $11K in liabilities against $2.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.4%), resulting in net assets of $2.6M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.8M | $957K | $2.6M | $11K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $1.6M | $1.0M | $2.0M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $475K | $946K | $1.5M | $1 | — | — |
| 2020 | $872K | $1.0M | $1.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $761K | $629K | $1.5M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $536K | $849K | $1.1M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $556K | $1.2M | $1.6M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $482K | $1.2M | $2.1M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $495K | $1.2M | $2.9M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $483K | $1.3M | $3.5M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $957K, and assets of $2.6M (revenue +13.6% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $2.0M (revenue +230.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $475K, expenses of $946K, and assets of $1.5M (revenue -45.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $872K, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $1.7M (revenue +14.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $761K, expenses of $629K, and assets of $1.5M (revenue +41.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $536K, expenses of $849K, and assets of $1.1M (revenue -3.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $556K, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $1.6M (revenue +15.4% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $482K, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $2.1M (revenue -2.5% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $495K, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $2.9M (revenue +2.4% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $483K, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $3.5M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Elfenworks 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.