Ligon Foundation
Ligon Foundation consistently spends more than it earns, drawing down assets.
EIN: 207307605 · Marietta, GA · NTEE: T22 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Ligon Foundation Legit?
Significant Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Ligon Foundation directs 60% of its spending to programs. This falls below the 65% benchmark. Donors may want to investigate further.
About Ligon Foundation
Ligon Foundation (EIN: 207307605) is a nonprofit organization based in Marietta, GA, classified under NTEE code T22. The organization reported total revenue of $2.3M and total assets of $2.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Ligon Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Ligon Foundation is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 19 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 10.4%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $197K |
| Total Expenses | $371K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-174,548 |
| Total Assets | $2.0M |
| Total Liabilities | $100K |
| Net Assets | $1.9M |
| Operating Margin | -88.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 5.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 65.0 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Ligon Foundation reported a deficit of $175K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 65.0 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 5.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), Ligon Foundation's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.4%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +74.1% | +19.3% | -25.9% |
| 2022 | +141.5% | +31.7% | +13.5% |
| 2021 | -22.9% | -16.6% | -7.3% |
| 2020 | -44.3% | +22.3% | +24.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2007 |
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 Ligon Foundation with a Mission Score of 45 out of 100 (Fair). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 30%
- programs: 60%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Ligon Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 30%, programs: 60%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 60% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $175K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 5.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no salaries or other compensation are paid to officers, directors, trustees, or key employees, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size and suggests a volunteer-led structure or that compensation is reported elsewhere.
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 Ligon Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits (expenses exceeding revenue)
- Significant decline in assets over time (from $4.3M in 2012 to $2M in 2023)
- Negative revenue reported in multiple years
- High liabilities relative to revenue in some periods (e.g., $558,143 liabilities vs. $112,962 revenue in 2022)
- Lack of detailed spending breakdown beyond high-level financial statements
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Ligon Foundation:
- 0% officer compensation reported, indicating no executive salaries from the organization
- Maintains a substantial asset base despite consistent deficits
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (10 filings provided)
Frequently Asked Questions about Ligon Foundation
Is Ligon Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ligon Foundation (EIN: 207307605) significant concerns. Mission Score: 45/100. 5 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Ligon Foundation spend its money?
Ligon Foundation directs 60% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Ligon Foundation tax-deductible?
Ligon Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 207307605). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Ligon Foundation financially sustainable?
Based on the consistent trend of expenses exceeding revenue (e.g., $371,220 expenses vs. $196,672 revenue in 2023), the organization appears to be financially unsustainable in the long term without a significant increase in revenue or reduction in expenses. It has been drawing down its assets to cover operational costs.
What caused the significant asset decline?
The substantial decline in assets from $4,357,628 in 2012 to $2,011,120 in 2023 is primarily due to the organization consistently spending more than its revenue, effectively liquidating its endowment or investment assets to cover operational deficits.
Why are there negative revenue figures in some years?
Negative revenue figures (e.g., -$322,557 in 2015 and -$319,148 in 2013) can occur due to significant returns of grants, investment losses exceeding investment income, or other adjustments that result in a net outflow of funds classified as revenue.
How does the 0% officer compensation impact operations?
The 0% officer compensation suggests a volunteer-driven leadership or that key personnel are compensated through other means not reported in this section. While it reduces administrative overhead, it can also raise questions about the professional management and long-term stability of the organization if it relies solely on unpaid leadership.
What are the primary programs of the Ligon Foundation?
As a T22 NTEE code organization (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations), its primary programs are likely grantmaking and supporting other charitable organizations. However, the provided data does not offer a detailed breakdown of program service accomplishments or specific grants made.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Ligon Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Ligon Foundation's revenue has grown by 226.3%, moving from $60K to $197K. Total assets decreased by 50.1% over the same period, from $4.0M to $2.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 20.8%, from $307K to $371K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Ligon Foundation reported a deficit of $175K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $100K in liabilities against $2.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 5.0%), resulting in net assets of $1.9M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $197K | $371K | $2.0M | $100K | — | — |
| 2022 | $113K | $311K | $2.7M | $558K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $47K | $236K | $2.4M | $121 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $61K | $283K | $2.6M | $-125 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $109K | $232K | $2.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $-322,557 | $245K | $3.2M | $104K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $214K | $302K | $3.7M | $28K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $-319,148 | $241K | $3.8M | $97K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $528K | $251K | $4.4M | $72K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $60K | $307K | $4.0M | $18K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $197K, expenses of $371K, and assets of $2.0M (revenue +74.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $113K, expenses of $311K, and assets of $2.7M (revenue +141.5% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $47K, expenses of $236K, and assets of $2.4M (revenue -22.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $61K, expenses of $283K, and assets of $2.6M (revenue -44.3% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $109K, expenses of $232K, and assets of $2.1M.
- 2015: Revenue of $-322,557, expenses of $245K, and assets of $3.2M (revenue -250.8% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $214K, expenses of $302K, and assets of $3.7M.
- 2013: Revenue of $-319,148, expenses of $241K, and assets of $3.8M (revenue -160.4% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $528K, expenses of $251K, and assets of $4.4M (revenue +776.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $60K, expenses of $307K, and assets of $4.0M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Ligon Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Ligon 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.