Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation
Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation consistently spends more than it earns, drawing down its substantial asset base.
EIN: 133531987 · Las Vegas, NV · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $1.2M |
| Total Expenses | $407K |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| Net Assets | $7.7M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation
Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation (EIN: 133531987) is a nonprofit organization based in Las Vegas, NV. The organization reported total revenue of $1.2M and total assets of $7.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 36 years, with 9 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2024). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -4.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2024)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $306K |
| Total Expenses | $407K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-100,751 |
| Total Assets | $7.7M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $7.7M |
| Operating Margin | -32.9% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 227.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2024, Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation reported a deficit of $101K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 227.8 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 9 years of filings (2012–2024), Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +16.1% | -0.7% | -1.3% |
| 2023 | -18.1% | -8.1% | -1.8% |
| 2022 | -31.0% | +7.7% | -1.5% |
| 2021 | +71.3% | -12.1% | +0.4% |
| 2020 | -50.7% | -2.8% | -6.9% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1990 |
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 Ernest And Joan Liu 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: 10%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 0%
According to IRS 990 filings, Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 0%. With 90% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2024)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $101K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no executive salaries are paid, which is a strong positive for financial efficiency and ensures more funds are available for its 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 Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent negative net income (expenses exceeding revenue) in recent years, indicating asset depletion.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation:
- Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating high efficiency in executive costs.
- Consistently low liabilities ($0-$1), demonstrating strong financial stability and no significant debt.
- Substantial asset base ($7,728,892 in 2024) provides significant capacity for grant-making.
- Consistent IRS 990 filings demonstrate good transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation
Is Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation (EIN: 133531987) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation spend its money?
Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation tax-deductible?
Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 133531987). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Where is Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation located?
Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada and files with the IRS under EIN 133531987.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation have?
Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation has 9 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 $1.2M in total revenue.
Is the Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation a good charity?
As a private foundation, its 'goodness' is often measured by its grant-making impact. Financially, it's stable with no executive compensation, but it is spending down its assets, which is common for foundations with a finite lifespan or specific distribution goals. Without knowing its specific grant recipients or program outcomes, a full assessment is difficult.
Why are the assets decreasing?
The foundation's assets have been gradually decreasing, from $8,662,478 in 2015 to $7,728,892 in 2024. This is primarily due to expenses consistently exceeding revenue in recent years (e.g., $407,090 expenses vs. $306,339 revenue in 2024), indicating a deliberate strategy to distribute its principal or a period of lower investment returns.
What is the foundation's primary activity?
Based on the financial data typical of private foundations, its primary activity is likely grant-making to other charitable organizations or individuals, rather than direct program services. The NTEE code is unknown, which would provide more clarity.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation showing financial trends over 9 years of public records:
Over 9 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2024), Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation's revenue has declined by 39.8%, moving from $509K to $306K. Total assets decreased by 1.1% over the same period, from $7.8M to $7.7M. Total functional expenses rose by 2%, from $399K to $407K. In its most recent filing year (2024), Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation reported a deficit of $101K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $7.7M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $7.7M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $306K | $407K | $7.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2023 | $264K | $410K | $7.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $322K | $446K | $8.0M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $467K | $415K | $8.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $273K | $472K | $8.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $553K | $485K | $8.7M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $582K | $491K | $8.6M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.2M | $492K | $8.5M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $509K | $399K | $7.8M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2024: Revenue of $306K, expenses of $407K, and assets of $7.7M (revenue +16.1% year-over-year).
- 2023: Revenue of $264K, expenses of $410K, and assets of $7.8M (revenue -18.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $322K, expenses of $446K, and assets of $8.0M (revenue -31.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $467K, expenses of $415K, and assets of $8.1M (revenue +71.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $273K, expenses of $472K, and assets of $8.1M (revenue -50.7% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $553K, expenses of $485K, and assets of $8.7M (revenue -5.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $582K, expenses of $491K, and assets of $8.6M (revenue -50.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $492K, and assets of $8.5M (revenue +132.7% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $509K, expenses of $399K, and assets of $7.8M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Ernest And Joan Liu Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Ernest And Joan Liu 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.