Low Road Foundation
Low Road Foundation experiences significant financial volatility and a substantial deficit in 2023, with liabilities increasing to over $41 million.
EIN: 201737242 · Sharon, CT · NTEE: T22 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Low Road Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Low Road Foundation directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Low Road Foundation
Low Road Foundation (EIN: 201737242) is a nonprofit organization based in Sharon, CT, classified under NTEE code T22. The organization reported total revenue of $87.8M and total assets of $217.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Low Road Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Low Road Foundation with a Mission Score of 65 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: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Low Road Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers or key employees received compensation directly from the organization, which is a strong positive for minimizing administrative costs.
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 Road Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant operating deficit in 2023 ($1.95M revenue vs. $11.49M expenses).
- Dramatic increase in liabilities to $41.82 million in 2023 from negligible amounts previously.
- Extreme volatility in annual revenue, making financial planning and stability uncertain.
- Assets decreased by nearly $10 million from 2022 to 2023 ($215.45M to $205.93M) while liabilities surged.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Low Road Foundation:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating low executive overhead.
- Substantial asset base ($205.93 million in 2023) despite recent decrease.
- History of significant revenue generation in certain years (e.g., $133 million in 2021).
Frequently Asked Questions about Low Road Foundation
Is Low Road Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Low Road Foundation (EIN: 201737242) some concerns. Mission Score: 65/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Low Road Foundation spend its money?
Low Road Foundation directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Low Road Foundation tax-deductible?
Low Road Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 201737242). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What caused the significant increase in liabilities to $41.82 million in 2023?
The IRS 990 data shows a dramatic jump in liabilities from negligible amounts (often $1) in prior years to $41,821,000 in 2023. This requires further investigation into the nature of these liabilities and their impact on the organization's long-term financial health.
Why did expenses ($11.49 million) far exceed revenue ($1.95 million) in 2023?
The 2023 filing shows a substantial operating deficit, with expenses being nearly six times the revenue. Understanding the reasons for this deficit, whether it's due to planned spending from reserves or an unexpected shortfall, is crucial for assessing financial stability.
What is the primary source of the highly fluctuating revenue streams?
Revenue has varied wildly, from $1.9 million in 2023 to $133 million in 2021. Identifying the main sources of this income (e.g., grants, investments, donations) and the reasons for such extreme fluctuations would provide insight into the organization's funding model and sustainability.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Low Road Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Low Road Foundation's revenue has grown by 285%, moving from $505K to $1.9M. Total assets increased by 9478.3% over the same period, from $2.2M to $205.9M. Total functional expenses rose by 6283.5%, from $180K to $11.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Low Road Foundation reported a deficit of $9.5M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $42K in liabilities against $205.9M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $205.9M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.9M | $11.5M | $205.9M | $42K | — | — |
| 2022 | $10.0M | $9.6M | $215.5M | $15K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $133.1M | $4.8M | $215.0M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $32.0M | $1.2M | $86.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $30.1M | $1.1M | $56.0M | $1 | — | — |
| 2015 | $1.5M | $262K | $5.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.0M | $264K | $4.5M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $153K | $275K | $2.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.0M | $260K | $2.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $505K | $180K | $2.2M | $1 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $11.5M, and assets of $205.9M (revenue -80.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $10.0M, expenses of $9.6M, and assets of $215.5M (revenue -92.5% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $133.1M, expenses of $4.8M, and assets of $215.0M (revenue +315.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $32.0M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $86.9M (revenue +6.5% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $30.1M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $56.0M (revenue +1905.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $262K, and assets of $5.8M (revenue -25.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $264K, and assets of $4.5M (revenue +1214.8% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $153K, expenses of $275K, and assets of $2.8M (revenue -84.9% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $260K, and assets of $2.9M (revenue +100.4% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $505K, expenses of $180K, and assets of $2.2M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Low Road 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.