Gies Foundation
Gies Foundation faces significant asset depletion and consistent operating deficits over the past decade.
EIN: 201685394 · Chicago, IL · NTEE: T20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $1.2M |
| Total Expenses | $999K |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| Net Assets | $69K |
| Transparency Score | 35/100 |
Is Gies Foundation Legit?
Significant Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Gies Foundation directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Gies Foundation
Gies Foundation (EIN: 201685394) is a nonprofit organization based in Chicago, IL, classified under NTEE code T20. The organization reported total revenue of $1.2M and total assets of $32K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Gies Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Gies Foundation is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 20 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 1.9%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $219K |
| Total Expenses | $999K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-779,672 |
| Total Assets | $69K |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $69K |
| Operating Margin | -355.7% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 0.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, Gies Foundation reported a deficit of $780K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 0.8 months of operating reserves (limited), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), Gies Foundation's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.9%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +275.2% | -21.8% | -91.8% |
| 2022 | +39.7% | -41.0% | -59.0% |
| 2021 | -97.0% | +45.1% | -50.7% |
| 2020 | +535.4% | +82.4% | -1.8% |
| 2019 | -90.6% | -68.8% | -12.9% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2006 |
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 Gies Foundation with a Mission Score of 35 out of 100 (Poor). 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, Gies Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $780K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
No officer compensation has been reported across all available filings, suggesting either a volunteer-led organization or that executive compensation is categorized under other expenses, which could obscure true administrative costs.
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 Gies Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant and consistent decline in assets from $6.6 million in 2012 to $31,665 currently.
- Persistent operating deficits where expenses frequently exceed revenue, indicating unsustainable financial practices.
- Latest assets ($31,665) are extremely low relative to latest revenue ($1,202,788), suggesting minimal financial reserves.
- Unusual consistent $1 liability reported across multiple years, which may warrant further investigation.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Gies Foundation:
- Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms, indicating adherence to reporting requirements.
- No reported officer compensation, which could suggest a volunteer-driven leadership, potentially reducing administrative overhead.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gies Foundation
Is Gies Foundation a legitimate charity?
Gies Foundation (EIN: 201685394) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Illinois. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 35/100. It has 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $1.2M. 4 red flags identified. 2 strengths noted. Financial health grade: C.
How does Gies Foundation spend its money?
Gies Foundation directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This meets the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Gies Foundation tax-deductible?
Gies Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 201685394). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Gies Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Gies Foundation directs 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Gies Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 35/100 (Poor), Gies Foundation is below average for NTEE category T20 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Gies Foundation located?
Gies Foundation is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and files with the IRS under EIN 201685394. It is classified under NTEE code T20.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Gies Foundation have?
Gies 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. The most recent filing shows $1.2M in total revenue.
Why have the Gies Foundation's assets decreased so dramatically from $6.6 million in 2012 to $31,665 currently?
The consistent pattern of expenses significantly exceeding revenue, as seen in 2023 ($998,895 expenses vs. $219,223 revenue) and 2022 ($1,277,481 expenses vs. $58,429 revenue), indicates the organization has been drawing down its assets to cover operational costs.
How does the Gies Foundation sustain its operations with such large and consistent operating deficits?
The organization appears to have historically relied on its substantial asset base to fund operations when revenue was insufficient. However, with current assets at $31,665, this strategy is no longer viable, raising concerns about future sustainability.
What is the nature of the consistent $1 liability reported across multiple years?
The consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities across many years is unusual and could indicate a specific type of nominal liability or an accounting practice that warrants further clarification from the organization.
Given the lack of reported officer compensation, how are the organization's leadership roles compensated or structured?
The absence of reported officer compensation suggests either a fully volunteer-run leadership or that compensation is included within other expense categories, which would require more detailed financial statements to understand fully.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Gies Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Gies Foundation's revenue has grown by 25.9%, moving from $174K to $219K. Total assets decreased by 98.5% over the same period, from $4.5M to $69K. Total functional expenses rose by 72.2%, from $580K to $999K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Gies Foundation reported a deficit of $780K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $69K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $69K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $219K | $999K | $69K | $1 | — | — |
| 2022 | $58K | $1.3M | $849K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $42K | $2.2M | $2.1M | $1 | — | — |
| 2020 | $1.4M | $1.5M | $4.2M | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $223K | $819K | $4.3M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $2.4M | $2.6M | $4.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $261K | $1.3M | $5.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $264K | $737K | $6.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $3.2M | $604K | $6.6M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $174K | $580K | $4.5M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $219K, expenses of $999K, and assets of $69K (revenue +275.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $58K, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $849K (revenue +39.7% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $42K, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $2.1M (revenue -97.0% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $4.2M (revenue +535.4% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $223K, expenses of $819K, and assets of $4.3M (revenue -90.6% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $2.4M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $4.9M (revenue +811.3% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $261K, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $5.1M (revenue -1.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $264K, expenses of $737K, and assets of $6.1M (revenue -91.8% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $604K, and assets of $6.6M (revenue +1741.3% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $174K, expenses of $580K, and assets of $4.5M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Gies Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Gies 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.