Gordon Foundation Inc
Gordon Foundation Inc. maintains strong assets despite consistent operational deficits and fluctuating revenue.
EIN: 136161724 · New Haven, CT · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Gordon Foundation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Gordon Foundation Inc directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Gordon Foundation Inc
Gordon Foundation Inc (EIN: 136161724) is a nonprofit organization based in New Haven, CT. The organization reported total revenue of $17K and total assets of $455K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Gordon Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Gordon Foundation Inc is a micro nonprofit that has been operating for 69 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -5.8%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $16K |
| Total Expenses | $24K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-7,188 |
| Total Assets | $406K |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $406K |
| Operating Margin | -44.0% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 207.0 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Gordon Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $7K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 207.0 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), Gordon Foundation Inc's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.8%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -103.6% | -8.1% | -27.7% |
| 2021 | +350.4% | +106.4% | +13.7% |
| 2020 | -72.0% | -29.2% | +6.0% |
| 2019 | -21.1% | -18.3% | +33.4% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1957 |
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 Gordon Foundation 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, Gordon Foundation Inc 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 $7K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all filings, indicating a volunteer-led organization or one with no paid officers. This is a positive for efficiency, as it means more funds are available for mission-related activities, especially for an organization of its size with assets around $400,000.
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 Gordon Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operational deficits (e.g., 2023: $7,188 deficit; 2022: $29,630 deficit), indicating expenses frequently exceed revenue.
- Highly inconsistent revenue generation, including negative revenue reported in 2022.
- Unusual reporting of only $1 in liabilities across all ten years of filings, which may suggest incomplete financial disclosure.
- Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data makes full spending efficiency assessment difficult.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Gordon Foundation Inc:
- Strong and growing asset base, increasing from $330,805 in 2011 to $405,544 in 2023, providing financial stability.
- No reported officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-led model that maximizes funds for mission.
- Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating a commitment to transparency.
- Low liabilities (reported as $1), suggesting minimal debt burden.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gordon Foundation Inc
Is Gordon Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Gordon Foundation Inc (EIN: 136161724) some concerns. Mission Score: 65/100. 4 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Gordon Foundation Inc spend its money?
Gordon Foundation Inc directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Gordon Foundation Inc tax-deductible?
Gordon Foundation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 136161724). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Gordon Foundation Inc. financially sustainable given its recurring operational deficits?
The organization has consistently reported expenses exceeding revenue in most years (e.g., 2023: $23,506 expenses vs. $16,318 revenue; 2022: $28,571 expenses vs. $-1,059 revenue). While its asset base has grown, this pattern suggests a reliance on investment income or asset drawdowns, which may not be sustainable long-term without increased operating revenue.
What are the primary sources of revenue for the Gordon Foundation Inc.?
The provided data shows highly variable revenue figures, ranging from negative revenue in 2022 ($-1,059) to a high of $33,222 in 2011. Without more detailed 990 schedules, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact primary sources, but the inconsistency suggests a mix of donations, grants, and potentially investment returns rather than a stable, recurring income stream.
How does the organization manage to cover its expenses with such inconsistent revenue?
The organization's ability to cover expenses despite revenue shortfalls is likely due to its substantial asset base, which has grown from $330,805 in 2011 to $405,544 in 2023. This suggests that investment income from these assets or strategic drawdowns are used to bridge the gap between operating revenue and expenses.
What is the significance of the 'Liabilities=$1' reported in all filings?
The consistent reporting of only $1 in liabilities across all ten filings is highly unusual for any organization. This could indicate an error in reporting, a very specific accounting practice, or that the organization genuinely has virtually no financial obligations, which is rare. It warrants further scrutiny to ensure financial transparency.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Gordon Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Gordon Foundation Inc's revenue has declined by 50.9%, moving from $33K to $16K. Total assets increased by 22.6% over the same period, from $331K to $406K. Total functional expenses fell by 14.5%, from $27K to $24K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Gordon Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $7K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $406K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $406K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $16K | $24K | $406K | $1 | — | — |
| 2022 | $-1,059 | $29K | $355K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $30K | $31K | $490K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $7K | $15K | $431K | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $23K | $21K | $406K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $30K | $26K | $305K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $23K | $28K | $301K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $25K | $29K | $306K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $7K | $28K | $309K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $33K | $27K | $331K | $1 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $16K, expenses of $24K, and assets of $406K.
- 2022: Revenue of $-1,059, expenses of $29K, and assets of $355K (revenue -103.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $30K, expenses of $31K, and assets of $490K (revenue +350.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $7K, expenses of $15K, and assets of $431K (revenue -72.0% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $23K, expenses of $21K, and assets of $406K (revenue -21.1% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $30K, expenses of $26K, and assets of $305K (revenue +28.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $23K, expenses of $28K, and assets of $301K (revenue -7.4% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $25K, expenses of $29K, and assets of $306K (revenue +254.8% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $7K, expenses of $28K, and assets of $309K (revenue -78.7% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $33K, expenses of $27K, and assets of $331K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Gordon Foundation Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Gordon 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.