Freedom Forum Institute Inc
Freedom Forum Institute Inc. faces significant revenue decline and operating deficits in recent years.
EIN: 200617900 · Nashville, TN · NTEE: B43 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $932K |
| Total Expenses | $1.3M |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| Net Assets | $392K |
| Transparency Score | 65/100 |
Is Freedom Forum Institute Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Freedom Forum Institute Inc directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Freedom Forum Institute Inc
Freedom Forum Institute Inc (EIN: 200617900) is a nonprofit organization based in Nashville, TN, classified under NTEE code B43. The organization reported total revenue of $932K and total assets of $1.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Freedom Forum Institute Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Freedom Forum Institute Inc is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 21 years, with 11 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2021). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -8.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2021)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $816K |
| Total Expenses | $1.3M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-503,934 |
| Total Assets | $1.1M |
| Total Liabilities | $730K |
| Net Assets | $392K |
| Operating Margin | -61.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 65.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 10.2 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2021, Freedom Forum Institute Inc reported a deficit of $504K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 10.2 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 65.1% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 11 years of filings (2011–2021), Freedom Forum Institute Inc's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | -30.0% | -22.7% | -50.3% |
| 2020 | -87.1% | -82.8% | +18.0% |
| 2019 | -17.4% | -5.2% | -21.5% |
| 2018 | +17.7% | +30.4% | -4.3% |
| 2017 | +44.2% | +24.7% | +51.2% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| 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 Freedom Forum Institute Inc with a Mission Score of 65 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, Freedom Forum Institute Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2021)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $504K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 65.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers received reportable compensation from the organization, which is highly unusual for an organization of its former size and current asset base.
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 Freedom Forum Institute Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant and rapid decline in revenue from $10.9 million in 2018 to $815,803 in 2021.
- Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., $503,934 in 2021, $541,106 in 2020), indicating expenses exceeding revenue.
- Decrease in total assets from $2,258,845 in 2020 to $1,122,110 in 2021, while liabilities remain substantial.
- High liabilities relative to assets in some periods (e.g., $729,976 liabilities vs. $1,122,110 assets in 2021), potentially indicating financial strain.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Freedom Forum Institute Inc:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating no direct executive salary burden.
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (11 filings), demonstrating regulatory compliance and transparency in reporting.
- Historically managed significant revenue and operations, suggesting past capacity and experience.
Frequently Asked Questions about Freedom Forum Institute Inc
Is Freedom Forum Institute Inc a legitimate charity?
Freedom Forum Institute Inc (EIN: 200617900) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Tennessee. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 65/100. It has 11 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $932K. 4 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: C.
How does Freedom Forum Institute Inc spend its money?
Freedom Forum Institute Inc directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This meets the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Freedom Forum Institute Inc tax-deductible?
Freedom Forum Institute Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 200617900). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Freedom Forum Institute Inc's spending goes to programs?
Freedom Forum Institute Inc directs 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Freedom Forum Institute Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 65/100 (Good), Freedom Forum Institute Inc is above average for NTEE category B43 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Freedom Forum Institute Inc located?
Freedom Forum Institute Inc is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee and files with the IRS under EIN 200617900. It is classified under NTEE code B43.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Freedom Forum Institute Inc have?
Freedom Forum Institute Inc has 11 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 $932K in total revenue.
What caused the dramatic decline in revenue from $10.9 million in 2018 to $815,803 in 2021?
The provided data does not specify the reasons for this sharp decline, but it is a critical factor impacting the organization's financial health and sustainability.
How does the organization plan to address the recurring operating deficits, such as the $503,934 deficit in 2021?
The consistent trend of expenses exceeding revenue in recent years suggests a need for strategic financial planning to ensure long-term viability.
What is the specific breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses in recent years?
The provided summary lacks this detailed breakdown, which is essential for a comprehensive assessment of spending efficiency and program impact.
Given the 0% officer compensation, how are leadership roles compensated, or is the organization entirely volunteer-led at the executive level?
This is an unusual finding for an organization with significant past revenue and assets, warranting further investigation into its operational model.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Freedom Forum Institute Inc showing financial trends over 11 years of public records:
Over 11 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2021), Freedom Forum Institute Inc's revenue has declined by 57.1%, moving from $1.9M to $816K. Total assets increased by 1305.4% over the same period, from $80K to $1.1M. Total functional expenses fell by 30.6%, from $1.9M to $1.3M. In its most recent filing year (2021), Freedom Forum Institute Inc reported a deficit of $504K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $730K in liabilities against $1.1M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 65.1%), resulting in net assets of $392K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $816K | $1.3M | $1.1M | $730K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $1.2M | $1.7M | $2.3M | $1.4M | — | — |
| 2019 | $9.0M | $9.9M | $1.9M | $501K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $10.9M | $10.5M | $2.4M | $226K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $9.3M | $8.0M | $2.5M | $797K | — | — |
| 2016 | $6.4M | $6.4M | $1.7M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $5.4M | $5.1M | $1.2M | $750K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $5.3M | $5.3M | $356K | $217K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $5.9M | $5.9M | $282K | $196K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.8M | $1.8M | $124K | $42K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.9M | $1.9M | $80K | $13K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2021: Revenue of $816K, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $1.1M (revenue -30.0% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $2.3M (revenue -87.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $9.0M, expenses of $9.9M, and assets of $1.9M (revenue -17.4% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $10.9M, expenses of $10.5M, and assets of $2.4M (revenue +17.7% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $9.3M, expenses of $8.0M, and assets of $2.5M (revenue +44.2% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $6.4M, expenses of $6.4M, and assets of $1.7M (revenue +18.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $5.4M, expenses of $5.1M, and assets of $1.2M (revenue +2.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $5.3M, expenses of $5.3M, and assets of $356K (revenue -10.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $5.9M, expenses of $5.9M, and assets of $282K (revenue +227.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $124K (revenue -4.7% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $80K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Freedom Forum Institute Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Freedom Forum Institute 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.