Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc
Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc frequently operates at a deficit, with expenses exceeding revenue in recent years, despite a strong asset base.
EIN: 134174402 · Washington, DC · NTEE: Q01 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $33.6M |
| Total Expenses | $25.4M |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $25 |
| Net Assets | $25.5M |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Is Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc
Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc (EIN: 134174402) is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, classified under NTEE code Q01. The organization reported total revenue of $33.6M and total assets of $41.3M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 24 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 9.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $23.9M |
| Total Expenses | $25.4M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-1,470,500 |
| Total Assets | $31.7M |
| Total Liabilities | $6.2M |
| Net Assets | $25.5M |
| Operating Margin | -6.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 19.6% |
| Months of Reserves | 15.0 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc reported a deficit of $1.5M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 15.0 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 19.6% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +29.9% | +27.0% | -4.3% |
| 2022 | +14.4% | +13.2% | +4.4% |
| 2021 | +7.1% | +4.5% | -4.1% |
| 2020 | -54.0% | -0.3% | -5.2% |
| 2019 | +161.7% | +13.3% | +81.7% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2002 |
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 Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc with a Mission Score of 75 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: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $1.5M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 19.6%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all provided filings, which is highly unusual for an entity with annual expenses exceeding $25 million, suggesting that executive leadership may be compensated through non-officer roles or that compensation is not reported in this specific section of the 990.
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 Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Frequent operational deficits (expenses exceeding revenue), such as in 202312 ($25.39M expenses vs. $23.92M revenue).
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, which is atypical for an organization of this size and could indicate a lack of transparency in executive pay reporting.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc:
- Strong and growing asset base, with assets of $31,722,831 in 202312 providing financial stability.
- Consistent growth in revenue and expenses over the past decade, indicating an expanding operational scope and donor support.
- Low liabilities relative to assets, with liabilities of $6,211,205 against assets of $31,722,831 in 202312.
Frequently Asked Questions about Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc
Is Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc (EIN: 134174402) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc spend its money?
Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc tax-deductible?
Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 134174402). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc CEO make?
Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc's highest-compensated officer earns $25 annually. The organization reported $33.6M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc's spending goes to programs?
Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc directs 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 75/100 (Good), Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc is above average for NTEE category Q01 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc located?
Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc is headquartered in Washington, Washington DC and files with the IRS under EIN 134174402. It is classified under NTEE code Q01.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc have?
Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc has 13 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 $33.6M in total revenue.
Is Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc financially sustainable given its recurring deficits?
While the organization has frequently reported expenses exceeding revenue (e.g., $25.39M expenses vs. $23.92M revenue in 202312), its substantial asset base of $31.72M in 202312 provides a significant buffer, indicating short-term sustainability. However, a long-term trend of deficit spending could eventually erode its reserves.
How does the organization manage executive compensation if 0% is reported?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation is highly unusual for an organization of this scale. This could mean that key leadership is compensated through other employee categories, through related organizations, or that the individuals holding 'officer' titles are not compensated by the organization directly.
What is the trend in the organization's net assets?
Net assets have generally increased over the decade, from $7.31M in assets with $0 liabilities in 201412 to $31.72M in assets with $6.21M liabilities in 202312, indicating growth in its financial reserves despite some fluctuations and periods of deficit spending.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc's revenue has grown by 196%, moving from $8.1M to $23.9M. Total assets increased by 548.3% over the same period, from $4.9M to $31.7M. Total functional expenses rose by 237.5%, from $7.5M to $25.4M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc reported a deficit of $1.5M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $6.2M in liabilities against $31.7M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 19.6%), resulting in net assets of $25.5M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $23.9M | $25.4M | $31.7M | $6.2M | — | — |
| 2022 | $18.4M | $20.0M | $33.2M | $6.4M | — | — |
| 2021 | $16.1M | $17.7M | $31.8M | $3.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $15.0M | $16.9M | $33.1M | $3.0M | — | — |
| 2019 | $32.7M | $17.0M | $35.0M | $3.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $12.5M | $15.0M | $19.2M | $3.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $13.2M | $13.4M | $21.7M | $2.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $9.0M | $11.7M | $21.5M | $2.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $8.8M | $10.4M | $23.1M | $1.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $10.3M | $8.3M | $7.3M | $0 | — | — |
| 2013 | $7.5M | $7.1M | $5.4M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $7.3M | $7.2M | $5.0M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $8.1M | $7.5M | $4.9M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $23.9M, expenses of $25.4M, and assets of $31.7M (revenue +29.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $18.4M, expenses of $20.0M, and assets of $33.2M (revenue +14.4% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $16.1M, expenses of $17.7M, and assets of $31.8M (revenue +7.1% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $15.0M, expenses of $16.9M, and assets of $33.1M (revenue -54.0% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $32.7M, expenses of $17.0M, and assets of $35.0M (revenue +161.7% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $12.5M, expenses of $15.0M, and assets of $19.2M (revenue -5.5% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $13.2M, expenses of $13.4M, and assets of $21.7M (revenue +46.0% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $9.0M, expenses of $11.7M, and assets of $21.5M (revenue +3.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $8.8M, expenses of $10.4M, and assets of $23.1M (revenue -15.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $10.3M, expenses of $8.3M, and assets of $7.3M (revenue +37.4% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $7.5M, expenses of $7.1M, and assets of $5.4M (revenue +3.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $7.3M, expenses of $7.2M, and assets of $5.0M (revenue -10.1% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $8.1M, expenses of $7.5M, and assets of $4.9M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies 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.