John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na

John S Phipps Family Foundation consistently spends more than it earns, drawing down its endowment.

EIN: 136861582 · Woodbridge, NJ · Updated: 2026-03-28

$5.4MRevenue

$15.9MAssets

70/100Mission Score (Good)

About John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na

John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na (EIN: 136861582) is a nonprofit organization based in Woodbridge, NJ. The organization reported total revenue of $5.4M and total assets of $15.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The John S Phipps Family Foundation, managed by Bessemer Trust Co Na, appears to be a private foundation primarily focused on grantmaking, as indicated by its consistent expense levels around $1.2 million to $1.5 million annually. Its financial health shows a gradual decline in assets from $18.2 million in 2011 to $15.8 million in 2023, alongside fluctuating revenues that often fall short of expenses, leading to a draw-down on its endowment. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $645,334 against expenses of $1,175,695, and in 2022, revenue was $566,420 against expenses of $1,334,473. This consistent deficit spending suggests the foundation is distributing more than it generates in investment income or contributions in many years.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program service expenses versus administrative and fundraising costs, which are not provided in the summary data. However, as a private foundation, its primary 'program' is typically grant distribution. The absence of officer compensation reported across all filings suggests that executive functions are either performed by unpaid trustees or are covered under administrative fees paid to Bessemer Trust Co Na, which would be reflected in overall expenses. The foundation's transparency is generally good through its consistent 990 filings, but a lack of NTEE code or detailed program descriptions limits understanding of its specific mission and impact.

Given the nature of a family foundation managed by a trust company, the 'spending efficiency' is often measured by the proportion of assets distributed as grants. The consistent expense levels suggest a stable level of philanthropic activity, even as the asset base slightly shrinks. The very low liabilities ($0 or $1 across all years) indicate strong financial management and no significant debt burden.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na 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: 85%
fundraising: 0%

According to IRS 990 filings, John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 0%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

No officer compensation is reported across all available filings, suggesting that executive functions are either voluntary or compensated through administrative fees paid to Bessemer Trust Co Na, which would be part of general expenses rather than direct officer salaries.

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 John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na's IRS 990 filings:

Consistent deficit spending, with expenses frequently exceeding revenue (e.g., $1.17M expenses vs $645K revenue in 2023), leading to endowment draw-down.
Gradual decline in total assets over the past decade, from $18.2 million in 2011 to $15.8 million in 2023.
Lack of NTEE code and detailed program information, making it difficult to understand the specific mission and impact.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na:

Very low liabilities ($0 or $1 across all filings), indicating strong financial solvency and no significant debt.
Consistent annual expense levels (around $1.2M - $1.5M) suggest stable philanthropic activity.
No reported officer compensation, which can indicate efficient use of funds if administrative services are cost-effective.

Frequently Asked Questions about John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na

What specific programs or causes does the John S Phipps Family Foundation support?

The provided data does not include an NTEE code or detailed program descriptions, making it impossible to determine the specific causes or programs the foundation supports. Further investigation of the full 990 forms would be required.

Is the foundation's asset decline a concern for its long-term viability?

The foundation's assets have declined from $18.2 million in 2011 to $15.8 million in 2023. While not a drastic drop, consistent spending exceeding revenue (e.g., $1.17M expenses vs $645K revenue in 2023) indicates a draw-down on the endowment. If this trend continues without significant new contributions or improved investment returns, it could impact the foundation's long-term grantmaking capacity.

How are administrative costs managed given the lack of officer compensation?

The absence of reported officer compensation suggests that administrative functions, including any executive oversight, are likely handled by Bessemer Trust Co Na as part of their management services, with associated fees being included within the foundation's overall administrative expenses.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:

Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na's revenue has declined by 68.7%, moving from $2.1M to $645K. Total assets decreased by 13.5% over the same period, from $18.3M to $15.8M. Total functional expenses fell by 21.2%, from $1.5M to $1.2M. In its most recent filing year (2023), John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na reported a deficit of $530K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $15.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $15.8M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$645K	$1.2M	$15.8M	$1	—	View 990
2022	$566K	$1.3M	$16.3M	$1	—	View 990
2021	$2.3M	$1.3M	$17.1M	$1	—	View 990
2020	$930K	$1.3M	$16.1M	$1	—	View 990
2019	$1.1M	$1.2M	$16.4M	$1	—	View 990
2015	$623K	$1.2M	$17.5M	$0	—	View 990
2014	$1.1M	$1.2M	$18.1M	$0	—	View 990
2013	$930K	$1.1M	$18.2M	$0	—	View 990
2012	$1.7M	$1.5M	$18.4M	$0	—	View 990
2011	$2.1M	$1.5M	$18.3M	$0	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $645K, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $15.8M (revenue +13.9% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $566K, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $16.3M (revenue -75.7% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $17.1M (revenue +150.9% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $930K, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $16.1M (revenue -19.0% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $16.4M (revenue +84.2% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $623K, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $17.5M (revenue -41.1% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $18.1M (revenue +13.8% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $930K, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $18.2M (revenue -44.3% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $18.4M (revenue -19.0% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $2.1M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $18.3M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na 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.