Johnny Carson Foundation

Johnny Carson Foundation consistently spends more than it earns, drawing down substantial assets.

EIN: 205885752 · Encino, CA · Updated: 2026-03-28

$32.8MRevenue

$120.5MAssets

75/100Mission Score (Good)

About Johnny Carson Foundation

Johnny Carson Foundation (EIN: 205885752) is a nonprofit organization based in Encino, CA. The organization reported total revenue of $32.8M and total assets of $120.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Johnny Carson Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Johnny Carson Foundation demonstrates strong financial health with substantial assets, currently at $123,658,915 as of the 202306 period, significantly exceeding its liabilities of $1. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, indicating a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. However, the foundation has consistently spent more than it has brought in over the last several years, with expenses of $18,820,169 against revenues of $10,509,086 in 2023, and similar trends in prior periods. This spending pattern has led to a gradual decline in assets from $162,789,998 in 2011 to the current level.

While the foundation's program spending efficiency cannot be precisely determined without a detailed functional expense breakdown (program, administrative, fundraising), the absence of officer compensation is a positive indicator of transparency and a focus on mission. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities also suggests sound financial management regarding debt. The long-term trend of declining assets due to spending exceeding revenue warrants attention, as it is not sustainable indefinitely, even for an endowment-based foundation.

Overall, the Johnny Carson Foundation appears transparent in its executive compensation and debt management. Its financial health is robust due to its large asset base, but the consistent deficit spending suggests a need to either increase revenue or adjust spending to maintain its long-term financial stability and mission impact.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Johnny Carson Foundation with a Mission Score of 75 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: 10%
programs: 85%
fundraising: 5%

According to IRS 990 filings, Johnny Carson 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.

Executive Compensation Analysis

The Johnny Carson Foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no executive salaries are paid from the organization's funds, which is a strong positive for resource allocation.

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 Johnny Carson Foundation's IRS 990 filings:

Consistent deficit spending (expenses exceeding revenue) over multiple years, e.g., $18.8M expenses vs. $10.5M revenue in 2023.
Declining asset base from $162.8M in 2011 to $123.7M in 2023 due to deficit spending.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Johnny Carson Foundation:

Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating high efficiency in executive pay.
Extremely low liabilities (consistently $1 or $0), demonstrating excellent debt management.
Substantial asset base ($123,658,915 in 2023) provides significant financial stability despite deficit spending.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (10 filings provided) indicates consistent reporting and transparency.

Frequently Asked Questions about Johnny Carson Foundation

Is the Johnny Carson Foundation a good charity?

The Johnny Carson Foundation exhibits strong financial transparency regarding executive compensation (0%) and maintains minimal liabilities. While it possesses substantial assets ($123,658,915 in 2023), it has consistently spent more than its revenue, leading to a decline in assets over time. Its 'goodness' depends on the impact of its programs, which cannot be fully assessed without detailed program expense data, but its financial practices regarding compensation and debt are commendable.

Why are the assets declining?

The assets are declining because the foundation's annual expenses have consistently exceeded its annual revenues for many years. For example, in 2023, expenses were $18,820,169 while revenue was $10,509,086, resulting in a deficit that is covered by drawing down from its asset base.

What is the long-term sustainability of the foundation?

The long-term sustainability is a concern if the current trend of spending significantly more than revenue continues. While the foundation has a large asset base ($123,658,915), a consistent annual draw-down will eventually deplete these funds. A strategy to either increase revenue or reduce expenses would be necessary for indefinite sustainability.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Johnny Carson Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:

Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Johnny Carson Foundation's revenue has grown by 114%, moving from $4.9M to $10.5M. Total assets decreased by 24% over the same period, from $162.8M to $123.7M. Total functional expenses rose by 151.5%, from $7.5M to $18.8M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Johnny Carson Foundation reported a deficit of $8.3M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $123.7M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $123.7M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$10.5M	$18.8M	$123.7M	$1	—	—
2022	$12.6M	$16.5M	$132.0M	$1	—	View 990
2021	$14.9M	$17.8M	$135.9M	$1	—	View 990
2020	$11.9M	$11.5M	$138.7M	$1	—	—
2019	$8.7M	$11.1M	$138.4M	$1	—	View 990
2015	$8.9M	$10.8M	$147.3M	$1	—	View 990
2014	$3.9M	$9.7M	$149.2M	$0	—	View 990
2013	$10.5M	$12.0M	$155.0M	$0	—	View 990
2012	$4.9M	$11.1M	$156.5M	$0	—	View 990
2011	$4.9M	$7.5M	$162.8M	$0	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $10.5M, expenses of $18.8M, and assets of $123.7M (revenue -16.3% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $12.6M, expenses of $16.5M, and assets of $132.0M (revenue -15.8% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $14.9M, expenses of $17.8M, and assets of $135.9M (revenue +25.7% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $11.9M, expenses of $11.5M, and assets of $138.7M (revenue +36.3% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $8.7M, expenses of $11.1M, and assets of $138.4M (revenue -2.7% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $8.9M, expenses of $10.8M, and assets of $147.3M (revenue +127.1% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $3.9M, expenses of $9.7M, and assets of $149.2M (revenue -62.3% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $10.5M, expenses of $12.0M, and assets of $155.0M (revenue +115.5% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $4.9M, expenses of $11.1M, and assets of $156.5M (revenue -1.2% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $4.9M, expenses of $7.5M, and assets of $162.8M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Johnny Carson 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.