Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc

Fred L Emerson Foundation maintains strong asset base and zero executive compensation.

EIN: 156017650 · Auburn, NY · Updated: 2026-03-28

$19.5MRevenue

$96.5MAssets

90/100Mission Score (Excellent)

About Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc

Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc (EIN: 156017650) is a nonprofit organization based in Auburn, NY. The organization reported total revenue of $19.5M and total assets of $96.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc demonstrates strong financial health with substantial assets, consistently above $90 million in recent years, reaching $95,505,606 in 2023. As a private foundation, its primary function is grantmaking, which is reflected in its expense patterns. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, indicating a volunteer or unpaid leadership structure, which is a positive sign for donor confidence and efficiency. While specific program spending details are not provided in the summary data, the consistent expenses, often exceeding revenue in some years (e.g., $4,342,165 expenses vs. $2,372,345 revenue in 2022), suggest active grant distribution from its endowment. The foundation's liabilities are consistently reported as minimal ($1 or $0), indicating excellent financial stability and low risk.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc with a Mission Score of 90 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: 90%
fundraising: 0%

According to IRS 990 filings, Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 0%. With 90% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that the foundation's leadership is either unpaid or volunteer-based, which is highly efficient for an organization with assets nearing $100 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.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc:

Consistently zero officer compensation, indicating high efficiency.
Strong and growing asset base, reaching $95,505,606 in 2023.
Minimal liabilities ($1 or $0 across all filings), showing excellent financial stability.
Consistent grantmaking activity, with expenses often in the multi-million dollar range annually.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc

What is the primary focus of the Fred L Emerson Foundation's grantmaking?

Based on the provided data, the specific program areas are not detailed. However, as a private foundation, its mission typically involves distributing grants to other non-profit organizations in specific fields.

How does the foundation manage to have expenses exceeding revenue in some years, such as 2022?

As an endowed foundation, it likely draws from its substantial asset base to fund grants and operations, especially in years where investment returns (revenue) are lower than its planned distributions (expenses). For example, in 2022, expenses were $4,342,165 while revenue was $2,372,345, indicating a draw from its endowment.

What is the long-term trend of the foundation's assets?

The foundation's assets have shown significant growth over the past decade, increasing from $69,674,264 in 2011 to $95,505,606 in 2023, demonstrating strong financial management and investment performance.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:

Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc's revenue has grown by 38.9%, moving from $3.1M to $4.3M. Total assets increased by 37.1% over the same period, from $69.7M to $95.5M. Total functional expenses fell by 21.8%, from $4.6M to $3.6M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc reported a surplus of $773K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $95.5M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $95.5M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$4.3M	$3.6M	$95.5M	$1	—	—
2022	$2.4M	$4.3M	$94.7M	$1	—	View 990
2021	$21.2M	$9.6M	$96.7M	$1	—	View 990
2020	$15.8M	$4.6M	$85.1M	$1	—	—
2019	$5.5M	$4.7M	$73.9M	$1	—	View 990
2015	$4.1M	$4.4M	$68.8M	$0	—	View 990
2014	$5.8M	$4.7M	$69.1M	$0	—	View 990
2013	$4.3M	$4.4M	$67.1M	$0	—	View 990
2012	$2.1M	$4.7M	$67.1M	$0	—	View 990
2011	$3.1M	$4.6M	$69.7M	$0	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $4.3M, expenses of $3.6M, and assets of $95.5M (revenue +83.0% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $2.4M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $94.7M (revenue -88.8% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $21.2M, expenses of $9.6M, and assets of $96.7M (revenue +33.8% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $15.8M, expenses of $4.6M, and assets of $85.1M (revenue +185.5% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $5.5M, expenses of $4.7M, and assets of $73.9M (revenue +35.2% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $4.1M, expenses of $4.4M, and assets of $68.8M (revenue -29.7% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $5.8M, expenses of $4.7M, and assets of $69.1M (revenue +35.2% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $4.3M, expenses of $4.4M, and assets of $67.1M (revenue +101.2% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $2.1M, expenses of $4.7M, and assets of $67.1M (revenue -31.4% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $3.1M, expenses of $4.6M, and assets of $69.7M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Fred L Emerson Foundation 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.