Gardner Charitable Foundation
Gardner Charitable Foundation's assets decline amid multi-year deficit spending.
EIN: 202003567 · North Andover, MA · NTEE: T20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Gardner Charitable Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Gardner Charitable Foundation directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Gardner Charitable Foundation
Gardner Charitable Foundation (EIN: 202003567) is a nonprofit organization based in North Andover, MA, classified under NTEE code T20. The organization reported total revenue of $390K and total assets of $1.4M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Gardner Charitable Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Gardner Charitable 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, Gardner Charitable 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.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers or key employees received compensation, which is highly favorable for donor perception and suggests a volunteer-led or very lean operational structure.
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 Gardner Charitable Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent deficit spending for the past three years (2021-2023), with expenses significantly exceeding revenue.
- Declining asset base, from $2,069,576 in 2020 to $1,469,708 in 2023, due to sustained deficit spending.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Gardner Charitable Foundation:
- Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating high efficiency in executive pay.
- Maintains a substantial asset base ($1,469,708 in 2023) relative to annual revenue, providing a buffer.
- Consistent IRS 990 filing history, demonstrating transparency and compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gardner Charitable Foundation
Is Gardner Charitable Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Gardner Charitable Foundation (EIN: 202003567) some concerns. Mission Score: 70/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Gardner Charitable Foundation spend its money?
Gardner Charitable Foundation directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Gardner Charitable Foundation tax-deductible?
Gardner Charitable Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 202003567). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Gardner Charitable Foundation financially sustainable given its recent spending trends?
The foundation has consistently spent more than its revenue for the past three years (2021-2023), leading to a decline in assets from $2,069,576 in 2020 to $1,469,708 in 2023. This trend is not sustainable long-term without increased revenue or reduced expenses.
What is the primary purpose of the Gardner Charitable Foundation?
Based on its NTEE code T20 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations), the foundation's primary purpose is likely grantmaking to other charitable organizations.
How does the foundation manage its executive compensation?
The foundation reports 0% officer compensation in all available filings, indicating that no officers or key employees are compensated, which is a strong positive for financial efficiency.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Gardner Charitable Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Gardner Charitable Foundation's revenue has declined by 15.3%, moving from $301K to $255K. Total assets decreased by 32.2% over the same period, from $2.2M to $1.5M. Total functional expenses rose by 142.5%, from $159K to $386K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Gardner Charitable Foundation reported a deficit of $131K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $1.5M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $1.5M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $255K | $386K | $1.5M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $228K | $467K | $1.6M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $252K | $482K | $1.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $750K | $492K | $2.1M | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $399K | $357K | $1.8M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $313K | $240K | $2.2M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $65K | $251K | $2.2M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $114K | $147K | $2.4M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $362K | $138K | $2.4M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $301K | $159K | $2.2M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $255K, expenses of $386K, and assets of $1.5M (revenue +12.0% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $228K, expenses of $467K, and assets of $1.6M (revenue -9.7% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $252K, expenses of $482K, and assets of $1.8M (revenue -66.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $750K, expenses of $492K, and assets of $2.1M (revenue +87.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $399K, expenses of $357K, and assets of $1.8M (revenue +27.7% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $313K, expenses of $240K, and assets of $2.2M (revenue +381.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $65K, expenses of $251K, and assets of $2.2M (revenue -43.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $114K, expenses of $147K, and assets of $2.4M (revenue -68.4% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $362K, expenses of $138K, and assets of $2.4M (revenue +20.1% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $301K, expenses of $159K, and assets of $2.2M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Gardner Charitable 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.