Helen Keller International
Helen Keller International demonstrates strong revenue growth and asset accumulation, with consistent program focus.
EIN: 135562162 · New York, NY · NTEE: Q300 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $83.4M |
| Total Expenses | $94.3M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $145,494,796 |
| Net Assets | $145.8M |
| Transparency Score | 90/100 |
Is Helen Keller International Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Helen Keller International directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Helen Keller International
Helen Keller International (EIN: 135562162) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY, classified under NTEE code Q300. The organization reported total revenue of $83.4M and total assets of $157.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Helen Keller International's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Helen Keller International is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 63 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 11.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $145.5M |
| Total Expenses | $94.3M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$51.2M |
| Total Assets | $165.5M |
| Total Liabilities | $19.7M |
| Net Assets | $145.8M |
| Operating Margin | 35.2% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 11.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 21.1 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Helen Keller International reported a surplus of $51.2M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 21.1 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 11.9% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Helen Keller International's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +20.2% | +2.3% | +47.7% |
| 2022 | +35.8% | +18.3% | +33.1% |
| 2021 | +9.1% | +7.3% | +14.7% |
| 2020 | -7.3% | -4.2% | +18.0% |
| 2019 | +13.2% | +0.5% | +32.7% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1963 |
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 Helen Keller International with a Mission Score of 90 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: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Helen Keller International allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% 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 surplus of $51.2M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 11.9%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The provided data consistently reports 0% for Officer Compensation across all filings, which suggests that executive salaries are either not categorized under this specific line item or are exceptionally low. This requires further review of the full 990 forms to understand the complete picture of executive remuneration relative to the organization's substantial size and revenue, which reached $145,494,796 in 2023.
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 Helen Keller International's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, requiring further investigation into full 990 forms for complete executive compensation transparency.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Helen Keller International:
- Strong and consistent revenue growth, from $58.4M in 2014 to $145.4M in 2023.
- Significant asset accumulation, reaching $165.5M in 2023, indicating financial stability.
- Healthy financial management with revenue generally exceeding expenses, contributing to asset growth.
- Likely high program spending efficiency, given the nature of the organization and typical nonprofit benchmarks.
- Long and consistent IRS 990 filing history (13 filings), demonstrating transparency and compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Helen Keller International
Is Helen Keller International a legitimate charity?
Helen Keller International (EIN: 135562162) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 90/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $83.4M. 1 red flag identified. 5 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does Helen Keller International spend its money?
Helen Keller International directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Helen Keller International tax-deductible?
Helen Keller International is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 135562162). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Helen Keller International CEO make?
Helen Keller International's highest-compensated officer earns $145,494,796 annually. The organization reported $83.4M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Helen Keller International's spending goes to programs?
Helen Keller International directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Helen Keller International compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 90/100 (Excellent), Helen Keller International is above average for NTEE category Q300 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Helen Keller International located?
Helen Keller International is headquartered in New York, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 135562162. It is classified under NTEE code Q300.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Helen Keller International have?
Helen Keller International 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 $83.4M in total revenue.
Is Helen Keller International a good charity?
Based on the provided financial data, Helen Keller International appears to be a very good charity. It demonstrates strong financial health, consistent revenue growth (from $58.4M in 2014 to $145.4M in 2023), significant asset accumulation ($165.5M in 2023), and a high likelihood of efficient program spending.
How has Helen Keller International's revenue grown over time?
Helen Keller International has experienced substantial revenue growth, increasing from $58,471,982 in 2014 to $145,494,796 in 2023, indicating a strong upward trend in funding and support.
What is the organization's asset base?
The organization's assets have grown significantly, from $41,034,335 in 2014 to $165,507,180 in 2023, demonstrating a robust and growing financial foundation.
What is the trend in expenses versus revenue?
Revenue has generally outpaced expenses in recent years, leading to increased assets. For example, in 2023, revenue was $145,494,796 while expenses were $94,271,740, indicating a healthy surplus for reinvestment or reserves.
Why is Officer Comp reported as 0%?
The consistent reporting of 0% for Officer Comp across all filings suggests that executive compensation might be reported under different expense categories within the full 990 form, or that the organization has a unique compensation structure. It warrants a deeper dive into the detailed 990 filings for clarity.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Helen Keller International showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Helen Keller International's revenue has grown by 253.6%, moving from $41.1M to $145.5M. Total assets increased by 374.5% over the same period, from $34.9M to $165.5M. Total functional expenses rose by 125.9%, from $41.7M to $94.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Helen Keller International reported a surplus of $51.2M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $19.7M in liabilities against $165.5M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 11.9%), resulting in net assets of $145.8M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $145.5M | $94.3M | $165.5M | $19.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $121.1M | $92.1M | $112.0M | $17.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $89.2M | $77.8M | $84.2M | $18.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $81.8M | $72.5M | $73.4M | $19.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $88.2M | $75.7M | $62.3M | $17.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $77.9M | $75.3M | $46.9M | $13.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $77.9M | $75.3M | $46.9M | $13.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $69.2M | $69.5M | $39.5M | $9.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $72.1M | $62.3M | $50.5M | $19.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $58.5M | $58.6M | $41.0M | $20.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $59.4M | $53.2M | $46.3M | $25.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $52.1M | $49.9M | $29.8M | $15.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $41.1M | $41.7M | $34.9M | $22.5M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $145.5M, expenses of $94.3M, and assets of $165.5M (revenue +20.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $121.1M, expenses of $92.1M, and assets of $112.0M (revenue +35.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $89.2M, expenses of $77.8M, and assets of $84.2M (revenue +9.1% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $81.8M, expenses of $72.5M, and assets of $73.4M (revenue -7.3% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $88.2M, expenses of $75.7M, and assets of $62.3M (revenue +13.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $77.9M, expenses of $75.3M, and assets of $46.9M (revenue +0.0% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $77.9M, expenses of $75.3M, and assets of $46.9M (revenue +12.6% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $69.2M, expenses of $69.5M, and assets of $39.5M (revenue -4.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $72.1M, expenses of $62.3M, and assets of $50.5M (revenue +23.3% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $58.5M, expenses of $58.6M, and assets of $41.0M (revenue -1.5% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $59.4M, expenses of $53.2M, and assets of $46.3M (revenue +14.0% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $52.1M, expenses of $49.9M, and assets of $29.8M (revenue +26.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $41.1M, expenses of $41.7M, and assets of $34.9M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Helen Keller International:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Helen Keller International 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.