Friends Of The Children Boston Inc
Friends Of The Children Boston Inc shows strong asset growth and no reported officer compensation, but experienced a revenue decline and deficit in its latest fiscal year.
EIN: 201581289 · Roxbury, MA · NTEE: P30 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $3.4M |
| Total Expenses | $2.7M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $7,389,653. |
| Net Assets | $4.6M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Friends Of The Children Boston Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Friends Of The Children Boston Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Friends Of The Children Boston Inc
Friends Of The Children Boston Inc (EIN: 201581289) is a nonprofit organization based in Roxbury, MA, classified under NTEE code P30. The organization reported total revenue of $3.4M and total assets of $7.4M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Friends Of The Children Boston Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Friends Of The Children Boston Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 21 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 7.3%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $2.3M |
| Total Expenses | $2.7M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-344,201 |
| Total Assets | $7.0M |
| Total Liabilities | $2.4M |
| Net Assets | $4.6M |
| Operating Margin | -14.9% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 33.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 31.5 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Friends Of The Children Boston Inc reported a deficit of $344K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 31.5 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 33.9% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Friends Of The Children Boston Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -55.6% | +20.9% | +39.1% |
| 2022 | +127.1% | +13.6% | +155.1% |
| 2021 | +6.4% | +6.3% | +0.7% |
| 2020 | +14.8% | +2.2% | +47.8% |
| 2019 | -3.2% | +33.0% | +14.8% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| 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 Friends Of The Children Boston Inc with a Mission Score of 85 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: 80%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Friends Of The Children Boston 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 $344K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 33.9%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries are paid to its officers, which is highly commendable for a nonprofit of its size with current assets of $7,389,653.
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 Friends Of The Children Boston Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Expenses exceeded revenue in the latest fiscal period (202308), resulting in an operating deficit of $344,201.
- Significant fluctuation in annual revenue, with a drop from $5.2M in 2022 to $2.3M in 2023, which could indicate reliance on large, infrequent grants or volatile funding sources.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Friends Of The Children Boston Inc:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong financial ethics and dedication of resources to the mission.
- Substantial growth in assets from $57,760 in 2015 to $7,389,653 currently, demonstrating effective financial management and capacity building.
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), indicating consistent compliance and transparency.
- Strong financial reserves, with current assets of $7,389,653 providing a buffer against operational fluctuations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Friends Of The Children Boston Inc
Is Friends Of The Children Boston Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Friends Of The Children Boston Inc (EIN: 201581289) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Friends Of The Children Boston Inc spend its money?
Friends Of The Children Boston Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Friends Of The Children Boston Inc tax-deductible?
Friends Of The Children Boston Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 201581289). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Friends Of The Children Boston Inc CEO make?
Friends Of The Children Boston Inc's highest-compensated officer earns $7,389,653. annually. The organization reported $3.4M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Friends Of The Children Boston Inc's spending goes to programs?
Friends Of The Children Boston Inc directs 80% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Friends Of The Children Boston Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Friends Of The Children Boston Inc is above average for NTEE category P30 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Friends Of The Children Boston Inc located?
Friends Of The Children Boston Inc is headquartered in Roxbury, Massachusetts and files with the IRS under EIN 201581289. It is classified under NTEE code P30.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Friends Of The Children Boston Inc have?
Friends Of The Children Boston 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 $3.4M in total revenue.
Is Friends Of The Children Boston Inc a good charity?
Based on its strong asset growth, consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, and sustained program delivery over many years, Friends Of The Children Boston Inc appears to be a well-managed charity. The recent deficit in 2023 should be monitored, but does not negate its overall positive financial health and commitment to its mission.
What caused the significant drop in revenue from 2022 to 2023?
The IRS 990 data shows revenue decreased from $5,201,483 in 2022 to $2,310,509 in 2023. While the specific reasons are not detailed in the provided data, this could be due to a large one-time grant in 2022, a change in fundraising strategy, or economic factors affecting donations. Further investigation into their financial statements would be needed to understand the exact cause.
How does the organization plan to address the 2023 operating deficit?
In 2023, expenses ($2,654,710) exceeded revenue ($2,310,509). While the organization has substantial assets ($6,976,686 in 2023), a sustained deficit could impact long-term sustainability. The organization would likely need to either increase fundraising efforts or adjust spending to return to a surplus.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Friends Of The Children Boston Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Friends Of The Children Boston Inc's revenue has grown by 133.4%, moving from $990K to $2.3M. Total assets increased by 10115.7% over the same period, from $68K to $7.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 139.9%, from $1.1M to $2.7M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Friends Of The Children Boston Inc reported a deficit of $344K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $2.4M in liabilities against $7.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 33.9%), resulting in net assets of $4.6M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.3M | $2.7M | $7.0M | $2.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $5.2M | $2.2M | $5.0M | $171K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $2.3M | $1.9M | $2.0M | $130K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.2M | $1.8M | $2.0M | $472K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.9M | $1.8M | $1.3M | $172K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.9M | $1.3M | $1.2M | $95K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $1.4M | $1.1M | $560K | $102K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $1.3M | $1.2M | $192K | $84K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $893K | $1.1M | $58K | $114K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $916K | $972K | $149K | $22K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.2M | $1.0M | $215K | $31K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $996K | $1.0M | $54K | $19K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $990K | $1.1M | $68K | $8K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $7.0M (revenue -55.6% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $5.2M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $5.0M (revenue +127.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $2.0M (revenue +6.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $2.0M (revenue +14.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $1.3M (revenue -3.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $1.2M (revenue +33.7% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $560K (revenue +7.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $192K (revenue +50.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $893K, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $58K (revenue -2.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $916K, expenses of $972K, and assets of $149K (revenue -21.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $215K (revenue +16.7% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $996K, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $54K (revenue +0.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $990K, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $68K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Friends Of The Children Boston Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Friends Of The Children Boston 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.