Fat Tire Foundation

Fat Tire Foundation accumulates tens of millions in assets with minimal reported expenses and no officer compensation.

EIN: 208066058 · Los Altos, CA · NTEE: T20 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$79.0MRevenue

$86.6MAssets

30/100Mission Score (Poor)

T20

About Fat Tire Foundation

Fat Tire Foundation (EIN: 208066058) is a nonprofit organization based in Los Altos, CA, classified under NTEE code T20. The organization reported total revenue of $79.0M and total assets of $86.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Fat Tire Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Fat Tire Foundation exhibits a highly unusual financial profile, characterized by extremely low reported expenses relative to its substantial revenue and asset base. For instance, in 2023, the organization reported over $13.9 million in revenue but only $2.57 million in expenses, and in 2021, $32.8 million in revenue against $1.5 million in expenses. This pattern suggests that a significant portion of its revenue is not being spent on programs, administration, or fundraising in the same fiscal year, leading to a rapid accumulation of assets, which reached $86.6 million in the latest period. The consistent reporting of 'Officer Comp=0%' across all filings indicates either a fully volunteer-led executive team or that executive compensation is not being reported in a standard manner, which could impact transparency.

The organization's spending efficiency, based on the reported expenses, appears to be heavily skewed towards asset accumulation rather than direct programmatic spending or operational costs. Without a detailed breakdown of expenses (e.g., program service expenses vs. administrative and fundraising), it's challenging to fully assess efficiency. However, the vast discrepancy between revenue and expenses year after year raises questions about how the funds are being utilized and whether they are being held for future, undisclosed purposes. The minimal liabilities ($1 in recent years) suggest a very strong balance sheet, but also reinforce the idea that funds are not being actively deployed.

Transparency is a concern given the lack of reported executive compensation and the significant gap between revenue and expenses. While the organization files its IRS 990s, the financial data presented suggests a model where funds are primarily retained rather than disbursed. A clearer explanation of the organization's financial strategy and how its substantial assets contribute to its mission would enhance transparency.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Fat Tire Foundation with a Mission Score of 30 out of 100 (Poor). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.

Spending Breakdown

admin: 0%
programs: 0%
fundraising: 0%

According to IRS 990 filings, Fat Tire Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 0%, programs: 0%, fundraising: 0%.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, suggesting either a completely volunteer-led organization or that compensation is structured in a way not captured under 'Officer Comp' on the 990, which is unusual for an organization managing tens of millions in assets.

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 Fat Tire Foundation's IRS 990 filings:

Extremely low reported expenses relative to substantial revenue and asset base, raising questions about direct charitable spending.
Consistent accumulation of assets without clear indication of how these funds are deployed for mission-related activities.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided summary makes it impossible to assess spending efficiency.
Unusual financial pattern for a nonprofit, suggesting a primary focus on capital retention rather than immediate program disbursement.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Fat Tire Foundation:

Strong financial solvency with minimal liabilities ($1 in recent years).
Significant asset base ($86.6 million) provides long-term financial stability.
Consistent revenue generation, with several years showing multi-million dollar inflows.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fat Tire Foundation

Is Fat Tire Foundation a good charity?

Based on the available IRS 990 data, it's difficult to definitively label Fat Tire Foundation as a 'good charity' in the traditional sense. While it has a strong asset base ($86.6 million) and minimal liabilities, its reported expenses are extremely low relative to its revenue and assets. This suggests that a significant portion of its funds are being accumulated rather than spent on programs or operations, raising questions about its direct charitable impact and how its mission is being fulfilled with such low reported expenditures.

Why are expenses so low compared to revenue and assets?

The IRS 990 data consistently shows very low expenses compared to both revenue and assets. For example, in 2023, revenue was $13.9 million, but expenses were only $2.57 million. This pattern suggests that the organization is primarily accumulating funds and assets rather than spending them annually. The specific reasons for this financial strategy are not detailed in the provided data, but it could indicate a long-term investment strategy, a holding pattern for a large future project, or a very lean operational model with significant non-cash activities not reflected as expenses.

What is the organization doing with its accumulated assets?

The provided data does not specify what the Fat Tire Foundation is doing with its accumulated assets, which have grown to $86.6 million. The consistent pattern of low expenses relative to high revenue and asset growth suggests a strategy of capital accumulation. Without further details on their programmatic activities or investment strategies, it's unclear how these substantial assets are directly contributing to their stated NTEE code (T20 - Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations) mission.

Is the lack of officer compensation a red flag or a strength?

The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation could be interpreted in two ways. It could be a strength, indicating a highly dedicated, volunteer-led executive team, which would be very efficient. However, for an organization managing tens of millions in revenue and assets, it could also be a red flag if executive services are being compensated through non-standard means or if the organization lacks professional leadership commensurate with its financial scale, potentially impacting its long-term effectiveness or transparency.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Fat Tire Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:

Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Fat Tire Foundation's revenue has grown by 183.3%, moving from $4.9M to $13.9M. Total assets increased by 644.5% over the same period, from $7.2M to $53.4M. Total functional expenses rose by 1175.2%, from $202K to $2.6M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Fat Tire Foundation reported a surplus of $11.4M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $53.4M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $53.4M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$13.9M	$2.6M	$53.4M	$1	—	View 990
2022	$454K	$2.3M	$47.7M	$1	—	View 990
2021	$32.9M	$1.5M	$64.1M	$1.8M	—	View 990
2020	$3.8M	$1.6M	$29.3M	$1.9M	—	View 990
2019	$7.9M	$1.5M	$24.3M	$2.1M	—	View 990
2015	$449K	$548K	$18.7M	$0	—	View 990
2014	$17.4M	$572K	$19.4M	$0	—	View 990
2013	$3.1M	$362K	$11.6M	$0	—	View 990
2012	$1.4M	$216K	$8.8M	$1	—	View 990
2011	$4.9M	$202K	$7.2M	$1	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $13.9M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $53.4M (revenue +2969.3% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $454K, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $47.7M (revenue -98.6% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $32.9M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $64.1M (revenue +767.3% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $3.8M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $29.3M (revenue -52.1% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $7.9M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $24.3M (revenue +1666.7% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $449K, expenses of $548K, and assets of $18.7M (revenue -97.4% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $17.4M, expenses of $572K, and assets of $19.4M (revenue +454.9% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $3.1M, expenses of $362K, and assets of $11.6M (revenue +122.3% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $216K, and assets of $8.8M (revenue -71.4% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $4.9M, expenses of $202K, and assets of $7.2M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Fat Tire 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.