Fractal Foundation
Fractal Foundation experiences fluctuating revenues and recent operating deficits, maintaining a debt-free status with volunteer leadership.
EIN: 134252553 · Albuquerque, NM · NTEE: U34 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Expenses | $63K |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Net Assets | $174K |
| Transparency Score | 70/100 |
Is Fractal Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Fractal Foundation directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Fractal Foundation
Fractal Foundation (EIN: 134252553) is a nonprofit organization based in Albuquerque, NM, classified under NTEE code U34. The organization reported total revenue of $0 and total assets of $0 according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Fractal Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Fractal Foundation is a micro nonprofit that has been operating for 21 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2020). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -8.6%.
Key Financial Metrics (2020)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $39K |
| Total Expenses | $63K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-23,799 |
| Total Assets | $174K |
| Net Assets | $174K |
| Operating Margin | -61.4% |
| Months of Reserves | 33.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2020, Fractal Foundation reported a deficit of $24K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 33.4 months of operating reserves (strong position).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2020), Fractal Foundation's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.6%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | -15.0% | +6.1% | -12.0% |
| 2019 | -61.0% | -26.3% | -6.3% |
| 2018 | -47.7% | +43.9% | +21.2% |
| 2017 | +418.5% | +29.1% | +534.7% |
| 2016 | -36.9% | -42.4% | +0.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2100 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2005 |
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 Fractal Foundation 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: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Fractal Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2020)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $24K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that its leadership operates on a volunteer basis, which significantly reduces administrative 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 Fractal Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Inconsistent revenue generation with significant year-over-year fluctuations.
- Operating deficits in recent years (e.g., 2019 and 2020), where expenses exceeded revenue.
- Latest reported revenue and assets are $0, which could indicate a significant operational change or reporting issue.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Fractal Foundation:
- Consistently reports zero liabilities, indicating a debt-free financial position.
- No officer compensation reported, suggesting a volunteer-driven leadership and low administrative overhead.
- Maintained a significant asset base, peaking at over $200,000, providing some financial cushion.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fractal Foundation
Is Fractal Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Fractal Foundation (EIN: 134252553) some concerns. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Fractal Foundation spend its money?
Fractal Foundation directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Fractal Foundation tax-deductible?
Fractal Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 134252553). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Fractal Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Fractal Foundation directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Fractal Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 70/100 (Good), Fractal Foundation is above average for NTEE category U34 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Fractal Foundation located?
Fractal Foundation is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico and files with the IRS under EIN 134252553. It is classified under NTEE code U34.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Fractal Foundation have?
Fractal 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.
Is Fractal Foundation financially stable?
The Fractal Foundation's financial stability is inconsistent. While it has maintained zero liabilities and built up assets, it has experienced operating deficits in recent years (e.g., $23,799 deficit in 2020) which could erode its asset base if not reversed.
How does Fractal Foundation fund its operations?
Based on the provided data, the organization relies on varying levels of revenue, which have fluctuated significantly year-to-year. Without more detailed 990 schedules, the specific sources of revenue (e.g., grants, donations, program service fees) are not clear.
What is the trend in Fractal Foundation's assets?
The organization's assets grew from $29,817 in 2011 to a peak of $211,269 in 2018, but have since declined to $174,148 by 2020, likely due to recent operating deficits.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Fractal Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2020), Fractal Foundation's revenue has declined by 55.3%, moving from $87K to $39K. Total assets increased by 484.1% over the same period, from $30K to $174K. Total functional expenses fell by 10.3%, from $70K to $63K. In its most recent filing year (2020), Fractal Foundation reported a deficit of $24K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $39K | $63K | $174K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $46K | $59K | $198K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $117K | $80K | $211K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $223K | $56K | $174K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $43K | $43K | $27K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $68K | $75K | $27K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $61K | $53K | $34K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $71K | $69K | $25K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $33K | $42K | $23K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $87K | $70K | $30K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2020: Revenue of $39K, expenses of $63K, and assets of $174K (revenue -15.0% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $46K, expenses of $59K, and assets of $198K (revenue -61.0% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $117K, expenses of $80K, and assets of $211K (revenue -47.7% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $223K, expenses of $56K, and assets of $174K (revenue +418.5% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $43K, expenses of $43K, and assets of $27K (revenue -36.9% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $68K, expenses of $75K, and assets of $27K (revenue +11.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $61K, expenses of $53K, and assets of $34K (revenue -13.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $71K, expenses of $69K, and assets of $25K (revenue +116.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $33K, expenses of $42K, and assets of $23K (revenue -62.2% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $87K, expenses of $70K, and assets of $30K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Fractal Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Fractal 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.