James T Lee Foundation Inc
James T Lee Foundation Inc consistently spends more than it earns, drawing down assets over a decade.
EIN: 131878496 · Wilmington, DE · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is James T Lee Foundation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
James T Lee Foundation Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About James T Lee Foundation Inc
James T Lee Foundation Inc (EIN: 131878496) is a nonprofit organization based in Wilmington, DE. The organization reported total revenue of $2.2M and total assets of $750K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of James T Lee Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
James T Lee Foundation Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 66 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -14.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $34K |
| Total Expenses | $103K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-69,095 |
| Total Assets | $1.3M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $1.3M |
| Operating Margin | -204.4% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 151.5 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, James T Lee Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $69K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 151.5 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), James T Lee Foundation Inc's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -14.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -72.2% | -49.1% | -5.1% |
| 2022 | -27.4% | -37.4% | -6.0% |
| 2021 | +41.4% | +0.5% | -9.6% |
| 2020 | +25.8% | -0.8% | -11.2% |
| 2019 | -66.4% | -1.4% | -28.6% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1960 |
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 James T Lee 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: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, James T Lee Foundation Inc 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.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $69K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that officers are not compensated or are compensated through non-reportable means, which is a strong positive for financial transparency and efficiency.
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 James T Lee Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent deficit spending (expenses exceeding revenue) over a decade, leading to significant asset depletion.
- Lack of NTEE code, making it difficult to categorize and benchmark the organization's activities.
- Significant discrepancy between 'Latest Revenue' and historical annual revenues without further explanation.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for James T Lee Foundation Inc:
- Zero reported officer compensation, indicating high efficiency in leadership costs.
- Consistent filing history (10 filings), suggesting good compliance with IRS reporting requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions about James T Lee Foundation Inc
Is James T Lee Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, James T Lee Foundation Inc (EIN: 131878496) some concerns. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
How does James T Lee Foundation Inc spend its money?
James T Lee Foundation Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to James T Lee Foundation Inc tax-deductible?
James T Lee Foundation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 131878496). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What is the specific mission of the James T Lee Foundation Inc?
The provided data does not specify the mission of the James T Lee Foundation Inc, making it difficult to fully assess its programmatic impact.
Why has the foundation's asset base declined significantly over the past decade?
The foundation's asset base has declined from $2,909,133 in 2011 to $1,298,942 in 2023 because its annual expenses have consistently exceeded its annual revenues, indicating a planned distribution of its endowment or capital.
What accounts for the 'Latest Revenue' of $2,170,868 when annual revenues are much lower?
The 'Latest Revenue' of $2,170,868 is significantly higher than the typical annual revenues reported in the filing history (e.g., $33,811 in 2023). This discrepancy suggests it might be an extraordinary gain, such as from investments or a large one-time donation, rather than recurring operational revenue.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for James T Lee Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), James T Lee Foundation Inc's revenue has declined by 84.1%, moving from $213K to $34K. Total assets decreased by 55.3% over the same period, from $2.9M to $1.3M. Total functional expenses fell by 77.4%, from $455K to $103K. In its most recent filing year (2023), James T Lee Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $69K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $1.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $1.3M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $34K | $103K | $1.3M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $122K | $202K | $1.4M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $168K | $323K | $1.5M | $7K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $119K | $322K | $1.6M | $7K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $94K | $325K | $1.8M | $7K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $280K | $329K | $2.5M | $8K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $252K | $329K | $2.6M | $8K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $198K | $337K | $2.7M | $7K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $325K | $424K | $2.8M | $9K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $213K | $455K | $2.9M | $10K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $34K, expenses of $103K, and assets of $1.3M (revenue -72.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $122K, expenses of $202K, and assets of $1.4M (revenue -27.4% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $168K, expenses of $323K, and assets of $1.5M (revenue +41.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $119K, expenses of $322K, and assets of $1.6M (revenue +25.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $94K, expenses of $325K, and assets of $1.8M (revenue -66.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $280K, expenses of $329K, and assets of $2.5M (revenue +11.3% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $252K, expenses of $329K, and assets of $2.6M (revenue +27.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $198K, expenses of $337K, and assets of $2.7M (revenue -39.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $325K, expenses of $424K, and assets of $2.8M (revenue +52.7% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $213K, expenses of $455K, and assets of $2.9M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for James T Lee Foundation Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for James T Lee 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.