Low Book Sales Foundation
Low Book Sales Foundation faces financial instability with declining revenue and expenses exceeding income in recent years.
EIN: 208967423 · S Salt Lake, UT · NTEE: T20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $78K |
| Total Expenses | $8K |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Net Assets | $1K |
| Transparency Score | 55/100 |
Is Low Book Sales Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Low Book Sales Foundation directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Low Book Sales Foundation
Low Book Sales Foundation (EIN: 208967423) is a nonprofit organization based in S Salt Lake, UT, classified under NTEE code T20. The organization reported total revenue of $78K and total assets of $1K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Low Book Sales Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Low Book Sales Foundation is a micro nonprofit that has been operating for 18 years, with 11 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2010–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -21.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $5K |
| Total Expenses | $8K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-2,710 |
| Total Assets | $1K |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $1K |
| Operating Margin | -51.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 1.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, Low Book Sales Foundation reported a deficit of $3K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 1.6 months of operating reserves (limited), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.1% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 11 years of filings (2010–2023), Low Book Sales Foundation's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -21.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -83.3% | -86.3% | -71.5% |
| 2022 | -75.2% | -40.2% | -87.6% |
| 2021 | +40.3% | -6.6% | +76250.0% |
| 2020 | -17.8% | +5.8% | -99.7% |
| 2019 | -52.7% | -57.9% | +3976.9% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2008 |
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 Low Book Sales Foundation with a Mission Score of 55 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: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Low Book Sales Foundation 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 $3K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all filings, suggesting a volunteer-led organization or that compensation is covered by an affiliated entity. This is a positive sign for donors concerned about high executive pay, especially given the organization's modest revenue and asset base.
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 Low Book Sales Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Expenses frequently exceed revenue, indicating potential financial instability (e.g., 2023: $8,010 expenses vs. $5,300 revenue; 2022: $58,510 expenses vs. $31,759 revenue).
- Significant decline in revenue from a peak of $285,425 in 2013 to $5,300 in 2023.
- Very low asset base ($1,069 latest) which offers minimal financial cushion for operations.
- Inconsistent financial performance over its history, making long-term planning and impact assessment challenging.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Low Book Sales Foundation:
- Consistent 990 filing history, demonstrating transparency.
- Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds for leadership or volunteer-led operations.
- Minimal liabilities ($1 in most recent filings), suggesting good debt management.
Frequently Asked Questions about Low Book Sales Foundation
Is Low Book Sales Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Low Book Sales Foundation (EIN: 208967423) some concerns. Mission Score: 55/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Low Book Sales Foundation spend its money?
Low Book Sales Foundation directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Low Book Sales Foundation tax-deductible?
Low Book Sales Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 208967423). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Low Book Sales Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Low Book Sales Foundation directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Low Book Sales Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 55/100 (Fair), Low Book Sales Foundation is near average for NTEE category T20 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Low Book Sales Foundation located?
Low Book Sales Foundation is headquartered in S Salt Lake, Utah and files with the IRS under EIN 208967423. It is classified under NTEE code T20.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Low Book Sales Foundation have?
Low Book Sales Foundation has 11 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 $78K in total revenue.
Is Low Book Sales Foundation financially sustainable?
The foundation's financial sustainability is questionable given that expenses ($8,010 in 2023, $58,510 in 2022) have frequently exceeded revenue ($5,300 in 2023, $31,759 in 2022) in recent periods, and its assets remain very low ($1,069 latest).
What is the reason for the significant fluctuation in annual revenue?
Revenue has varied widely, from $285,425 in 2013 to $5,300 in 2023. This volatility suggests an inconsistent funding model or reliance on sporadic large contributions, which can impact program planning and delivery.
How does the organization cover its expenses when revenue is lower?
In years where expenses exceeded revenue (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2020, 2014), the organization would have either drawn from prior period reserves, received non-cash contributions, or had other funding sources not fully captured in the reported annual revenue.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Low Book Sales Foundation showing financial trends over 11 years of public records:
Over 11 years of IRS 990 filings (2010–2023), Low Book Sales Foundation's revenue has declined by 95.4%, moving from $116K to $5K. Total assets increased by 74% over the same period, from $620 to $1K. Total functional expenses fell by 93.1%, from $117K to $8K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Low Book Sales Foundation reported a deficit of $3K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $1K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.1%), resulting in net assets of $1K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $5K | $8K | $1K | $1 | — | — |
| 2022 | $32K | $59K | $4K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $128K | $98K | $31K | $1 | — | — |
| 2020 | $91K | $105K | $40 | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $111K | $99K | $13K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $235K | $235K | $325 | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $208K | $244K | $129 | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $285K | $252K | $36K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $195K | $193K | $2K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $123K | $124K | $335 | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2010 | $116K | $117K | $620 | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $5K, expenses of $8K, and assets of $1K (revenue -83.3% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $32K, expenses of $59K, and assets of $4K (revenue -75.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $128K, expenses of $98K, and assets of $31K (revenue +40.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $91K, expenses of $105K, and assets of $40 (revenue -17.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $111K, expenses of $99K, and assets of $13K (revenue -52.7% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $235K, expenses of $235K, and assets of $325 (revenue +13.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $208K, expenses of $244K, and assets of $129 (revenue -27.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $285K, expenses of $252K, and assets of $36K (revenue +46.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $195K, expenses of $193K, and assets of $2K (revenue +58.4% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $123K, expenses of $124K, and assets of $335 (revenue +5.9% year-over-year).
- 2010: Revenue of $116K, expenses of $117K, and assets of $620.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Low Book Sales Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Low Book Sales 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.