Ethel Kennedy Foundation
Ethel Kennedy Foundation consistently spends more than it earns, relying on substantial assets while reporting no officer compensation.
EIN: 112768682 · Cambridge, MA · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $1.8M |
| Total Expenses | $658K |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| Net Assets | $9.1M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Ethel Kennedy Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Ethel Kennedy Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Ethel Kennedy Foundation
Ethel Kennedy Foundation (EIN: 112768682) is a nonprofit organization based in Cambridge, MA. The organization reported total revenue of $1.8M and total assets of $9.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Ethel Kennedy Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Ethel Kennedy Foundation is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 40 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 5.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $460K |
| Total Expenses | $658K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-198,232 |
| Total Assets | $9.1M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $9.1M |
| Operating Margin | -43.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 165.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Ethel Kennedy Foundation reported a deficit of $198K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 165.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), Ethel Kennedy Foundation's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +41.1% | -13.2% | -2.1% |
| 2022 | -52.1% | +26.1% | -4.4% |
| 2021 | +116.8% | +5.5% | +0.8% |
| 2020 | -23.5% | +3.4% | -2.6% |
| 2019 | -19.3% | +0.4% | +22.2% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1986 |
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 Ethel Kennedy 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: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Ethel Kennedy 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 $198K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported at 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers or key employees are receiving salaries from the foundation. This is a highly positive financial practice, suggesting that all funds are directed towards the organization's mission or operational overhead.
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 Ethel Kennedy Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operational deficits, with expenses exceeding revenue in 8 out of 10 reported periods (e.g., 2023 expenses $657,808 vs. revenue $459,576).
- Declining asset base over recent years, from $9.9M in 2019 to $9.09M in 2023, potentially due to covering deficits.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Ethel Kennedy Foundation:
- Substantial asset base ($9,092,256 in 2023) providing financial stability.
- Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds and dedication.
- Consistent IRS 990 filing history (10 filings), demonstrating transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ethel Kennedy Foundation
Is Ethel Kennedy Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ethel Kennedy Foundation (EIN: 112768682) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Ethel Kennedy Foundation spend its money?
Ethel Kennedy Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Ethel Kennedy Foundation tax-deductible?
Ethel Kennedy Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 112768682). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Ethel Kennedy Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Ethel Kennedy Foundation directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Ethel Kennedy Foundation located?
Ethel Kennedy Foundation is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts and files with the IRS under EIN 112768682.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Ethel Kennedy Foundation have?
Ethel Kennedy Foundation has 10 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 $1.8M in total revenue.
Is the Ethel Kennedy Foundation a good charity?
Based on the provided data, the Ethel Kennedy Foundation exhibits strong financial health in terms of assets ($9,092,256 in 2023) and a commitment to not paying officer compensation (0% reported). However, it has consistently operated at a deficit, spending more than it earns in most recent years, which could be a concern for long-term sustainability if not managed through endowment drawdowns. Its transparency through consistent 990 filings is also a positive.
How does the foundation sustain itself with consistent deficits?
The foundation likely sustains itself by drawing from its substantial asset base, which was $9,092,256 in 2023. While it consistently spends more than its annual revenue, its large endowment allows it to cover these deficits without immediate financial distress.
What is the trend in the foundation's assets?
The foundation's assets have shown a slight decline in recent years, from a peak of $9,900,046 in 2019 to $9,092,256 in 2023. This trend aligns with the consistent operational deficits, suggesting that assets are being utilized to cover expenses.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Ethel Kennedy Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Ethel Kennedy Foundation's revenue has grown by 83.1%, moving from $251K to $460K. Total assets increased by 18.7% over the same period, from $7.7M to $9.1M. Total functional expenses rose by 79.8%, from $366K to $658K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Ethel Kennedy Foundation reported a deficit of $198K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $9.1M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $9.1M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $460K | $658K | $9.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $326K | $758K | $9.3M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $681K | $601K | $9.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $314K | $570K | $9.6M | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $410K | $552K | $9.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $508K | $549K | $8.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $466K | $223K | $8.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $955K | $504K | $7.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $320K | $531K | $7.5M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $251K | $366K | $7.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $460K, expenses of $658K, and assets of $9.1M (revenue +41.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $326K, expenses of $758K, and assets of $9.3M (revenue -52.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $681K, expenses of $601K, and assets of $9.7M (revenue +116.8% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $314K, expenses of $570K, and assets of $9.6M (revenue -23.5% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $410K, expenses of $552K, and assets of $9.9M (revenue -19.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $508K, expenses of $549K, and assets of $8.1M (revenue +9.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $466K, expenses of $223K, and assets of $8.1M (revenue -51.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $955K, expenses of $504K, and assets of $7.9M (revenue +198.7% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $320K, expenses of $531K, and assets of $7.5M (revenue +27.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $251K, expenses of $366K, and assets of $7.7M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Ethel Kennedy Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Ethel Kennedy 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.