John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation
John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation maintains substantial assets despite fluctuating revenues and reports no officer compensation.
EIN: 135673173 · New York, NY · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $109.7M |
| Total Expenses | $19.4M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $380 |
| Net Assets | $329.8M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation
John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation (EIN: 135673173) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY. The organization reported total revenue of $109.7M and total assets of $383.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 88 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 12.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $13.5M |
| Total Expenses | $19.4M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-5,858,944 |
| Total Assets | $351.7M |
| Total Liabilities | $21.9M |
| Net Assets | $329.8M |
| Operating Margin | -43.4% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 6.2% |
| Months of Reserves | 218.1 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation reported a deficit of $5.9M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 218.1 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 6.2% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -27.0% | -0.4% | +6.5% |
| 2022 | -54.3% | +10.5% | -12.8% |
| 2021 | +6.8% | -7.7% | +3.3% |
| 2020 | -33.9% | +5.5% | +15.7% |
| 2019 | +229.2% | +0.2% | +21.6% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1938 |
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 John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation with a Mission Score of 85 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, John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation 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 deficit of $5.9M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 6.2%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size with assets exceeding $380 million. This suggests either that compensation is extremely low, covered by other entities, or not categorized under 'Officer Comp' in the filings, warranting further scrutiny for complete transparency.
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 Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is unusual for an organization of this scale and warrants further investigation into how executive leadership is compensated.
- Significant year-over-year revenue volatility, indicating potential reliance on unpredictable investment gains or large, infrequent donations.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation:
- Strong asset base ($383,572,670) providing long-term financial stability and capacity for mission fulfillment.
- Consistent expense levels (around $17-19 million annually) demonstrating predictable operational costs.
- Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating a healthy balance sheet.
- Apparent commitment to program spending, as suggested by the consistent operational expenses likely directed towards grants and fellowships.
Frequently Asked Questions about John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation
Is John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation a legitimate charity?
John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation (EIN: 135673173) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 85/100. It has 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $109.7M. 2 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation spend its money?
John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation tax-deductible?
John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 135673173). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation CEO make?
John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation's highest-compensated officer earns $380 annually. The organization reported $109.7M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation's spending goes to programs?
John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation located?
John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation is headquartered in New York, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 135673173.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation have?
John Simon Guggenhein Memorial 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 $109.7M in total revenue.
How does the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation manage to report 0% officer compensation consistently?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available IRS 990 filings is highly unusual for an organization with assets of $383,572,670 and annual expenses around $19 million. This could indicate that executive salaries are paid by a related entity, are extremely low, or are categorized differently within the financial statements, requiring a deeper dive into their full audited financials for clarification.
What is the primary source of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation's revenue fluctuations?
The significant fluctuations in revenue, ranging from $497,892 in 2012 to $109,715,973 in the latest period, suggest a reliance on investment returns, large one-time donations, or specific grant cycles rather than consistent operational income. Given its substantial assets, investment performance is likely a major factor.
Is the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation financially sustainable given its expense levels?
Yes, despite periods where expenses ($19,353,460 in 2023) exceeded revenue ($13,494,516 in 2023), the foundation's substantial asset base of $383,572,670 provides a strong buffer and indicates long-term financial sustainability, likely through endowment drawdowns to cover operational costs and grants.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation's revenue has grown by 321.1%, moving from $3.2M to $13.5M. Total assets increased by 48.6% over the same period, from $236.7M to $351.7M. Total functional expenses rose by 29.7%, from $14.9M to $19.4M. In its most recent filing year (2023), John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation reported a deficit of $5.9M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $21.9M in liabilities against $351.7M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 6.2%), resulting in net assets of $329.8M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $13.5M | $19.4M | $351.7M | $21.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $18.5M | $19.4M | $330.2M | $23.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $40.5M | $17.6M | $378.5M | $15.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $37.9M | $19.1M | $366.5M | $16.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $57.4M | $18.1M | $316.7M | $15.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $17.4M | $18.0M | $260.3M | $23.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $16.0M | $18.7M | $271.2M | $18.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $13.3M | $11.2M | $268.8M | $14.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $498K | $16.9M | $238.1M | $15.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $3.2M | $14.9M | $236.7M | $13.6M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $13.5M, expenses of $19.4M, and assets of $351.7M (revenue -27.0% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $18.5M, expenses of $19.4M, and assets of $330.2M (revenue -54.3% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $40.5M, expenses of $17.6M, and assets of $378.5M (revenue +6.8% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $37.9M, expenses of $19.1M, and assets of $366.5M (revenue -33.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $57.4M, expenses of $18.1M, and assets of $316.7M (revenue +229.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $17.4M, expenses of $18.0M, and assets of $260.3M (revenue +8.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $16.0M, expenses of $18.7M, and assets of $271.2M (revenue +20.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $13.3M, expenses of $11.2M, and assets of $268.8M (revenue +2564.6% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $498K, expenses of $16.9M, and assets of $238.1M (revenue -84.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $14.9M, and assets of $236.7M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for John Simon Guggenhein Memorial Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for John Simon Guggenhein Memorial 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.