Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc
Firebird Foundation experiences extreme revenue and expense volatility, with a significant operating deficit in its latest fiscal year.
EIN: 10524375 · Phillips, ME · NTEE: B99 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $20.6M |
| Total Expenses | $19.7M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $50 |
| Net Assets | $50.5M |
| Transparency Score | 70/100 |
Is Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc
Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc (EIN: 10524375) is a nonprofit organization based in Phillips, ME, classified under NTEE code B99. The organization reported total revenue of $20.6M and total assets of $50.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 26 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 41.6%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $6.0M |
| Total Expenses | $19.7M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-13,738,636 |
| Total Assets | $50.6M |
| Total Liabilities | $67K |
| Net Assets | $50.5M |
| Operating Margin | -230.4% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 30.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc reported a deficit of $13.7M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 30.8 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.1% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2012–2023), Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 41.6%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -80.2% | +568.0% | -18.2% |
| 2022 | +11.4% | +6.8% | +61.9% |
| 2021 | +429.8% | +231.4% | +75.0% |
| 2020 | +90.9% | -8.1% | +19.4% |
| 2019 | +369.3% | +23.5% | +29.8% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2000 |
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 Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc with a Mission Score of 70 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: 80%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 10%. With 80% 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 $13.7M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers receive compensation from the organization, which is highly unusual for an organization with assets exceeding $50 million.
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 Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Extreme volatility in annual revenue and expenses, making financial stability unpredictable.
- Significant operating deficit in the latest fiscal year (2023), with expenses ($19,701,754) far exceeding revenue ($5,963,118).
- Large increase in liabilities to $67,000 in 2023, after several years of much lower figures.
- Consistent 0% officer compensation for an organization with over $50 million in assets, which may warrant further investigation into how leadership is supported or if there are unreported benefits.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc:
- Substantial growth in assets from $3.2 million in 2012 to over $50 million in 2023, indicating successful asset accumulation.
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, suggesting a commitment to minimizing executive overhead.
- Long filing history (10 filings), indicating sustained operation and compliance with IRS reporting requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions about Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc
Is Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc (EIN: 10524375) some concerns. Mission Score: 70/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc spend its money?
Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc tax-deductible?
Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 10524375). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc CEO make?
Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc's highest-compensated officer earns $50 annually. The organization reported $20.6M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc's spending goes to programs?
Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc directs 80% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 70/100 (Good), Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc is above average for NTEE category B99 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc located?
Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc is headquartered in Phillips, Maine and files with the IRS under EIN 10524375. It is classified under NTEE code B99.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc have?
Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc 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 $20.6M in total revenue.
Why did expenses increase from $2,949,167 in 2022 to $19,701,754 in 2023, while revenue decreased significantly?
The provided data does not specify the nature of this dramatic increase in expenses or the corresponding revenue drop. This could indicate a major project, investment, or a significant change in operational strategy, leading to a substantial operating deficit in 2023.
How does the organization manage its significant asset base of over $50 million without any reported officer compensation?
The consistent 0% officer compensation suggests that leadership may be entirely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not reported as officer compensation on the 990, which is unusual for an organization of this size and asset base.
What caused the extreme fluctuations in annual revenue, such as the jump from $5 million in 2020 to $30 million in 2022, then down to $5.9 million in 2023?
Such volatility in revenue could be due to large, infrequent grants, significant investment gains/losses, or a highly project-dependent funding model. Further details from the full 990 filings would be needed to understand the sources of these fluctuations.
What is the specific allocation of the $19,701,754 in expenses in 2023 across program services, administration, and fundraising?
The summary data does not provide this detailed breakdown. Understanding this allocation is crucial to assess the organization's spending efficiency and how much directly supports its anthropological research mission.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2023), Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc's revenue has grown by 4498.8%, moving from $130K to $6.0M. Total assets increased by 1447.5% over the same period, from $3.3M to $50.6M. Total functional expenses rose by 4919.6%, from $392K to $19.7M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc reported a deficit of $13.7M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $67K in liabilities against $50.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.1%), resulting in net assets of $50.5M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $6.0M | $19.7M | $50.6M | $67K | — | — |
| 2022 | $30.1M | $2.9M | $61.8M | $70K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $27.0M | $2.8M | $38.2M | $95K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $5.1M | $833K | $21.8M | $103K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $2.7M | $907K | $18.3M | $63K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $569K | $734K | $14.1M | $21K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.2M | $908K | $14.2M | $16K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $11.3M | $607K | $14.0M | $67K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $284K | $432K | $3.2M | $11K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $130K | $392K | $3.3M | $5K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $6.0M, expenses of $19.7M, and assets of $50.6M (revenue -80.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $30.1M, expenses of $2.9M, and assets of $61.8M (revenue +11.4% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $27.0M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $38.2M (revenue +429.8% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $5.1M, expenses of $833K, and assets of $21.8M (revenue +90.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $907K, and assets of $18.3M (revenue +369.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $569K, expenses of $734K, and assets of $14.1M (revenue -52.1% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $908K, and assets of $14.2M (revenue -89.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $11.3M, expenses of $607K, and assets of $14.0M (revenue +3890.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $284K, expenses of $432K, and assets of $3.2M (revenue +119.0% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $130K, expenses of $392K, and assets of $3.3M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Firebird Foundation For Anthropological Research 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.