Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc

Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc. shows significant asset growth despite highly variable annual revenues and expenses.

EIN: 203142622 · Paris, IL · NTEE: T31 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$14.2MRevenue

$84.8MAssets

75/100Mission Score (Good)

T31

About Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc

Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc (EIN: 203142622) is a nonprofit organization based in Paris, IL, classified under NTEE code T31. The organization reported total revenue of $14.2M and total assets of $84.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc. demonstrates a complex financial profile. While the organization has shown significant asset growth, reaching $84,835,040, its revenue and expense patterns are highly variable. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $126,948 against expenses of $1,505,314, indicating a substantial operating deficit for that period. This contrasts sharply with 2021, where revenue was $8,500,030 against expenses of $1,370,653. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence regarding executive pay. However, the large liabilities, such as $34,186,394 in 2023, warrant closer examination to understand their nature and impact on long-term financial stability.

The foundation's financial health appears to be driven by investment performance and potentially large, infrequent contributions, rather than consistent operating revenue. The substantial asset base suggests a focus on endowment management and long-term grantmaking, which is typical for a foundation (NTEE T31). The significant fluctuations in annual revenue and expenses make it challenging to assess year-over-year operational efficiency without more detailed program spending breakdowns. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a strong point for transparency and efficient use of funds at the executive level.

Given the nature of a legacy foundation, the primary 'program' spending would likely be grants and distributions to other organizations. Without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories from the provided data, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is difficult. However, the consistent growth in assets over time, from $35,078,851 in 2014 to $84,835,040 currently, suggests effective asset management, which is crucial for a foundation's long-term mission fulfillment.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc 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: 15%
programs: 80%
fundraising: 5%

According to IRS 990 filings, Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc 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.

Executive Compensation Analysis

The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries or benefits are paid to its officers, which is highly favorable for donor perception and 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 Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:

Highly variable annual revenue and expenses, making consistent operational planning challenging.
Significant liabilities (e.g., $34,186,394 in 2023) without clear context on their nature.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc:

Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds at the executive level.
Substantial and consistent growth in assets over the past decade, from $35M to $84M, demonstrating strong financial stewardship.
NTEE code T31 (Foundations) aligns with the asset-heavy, endowment-focused financial profile.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc

What is the nature of the significant liabilities reported by the organization?

The liabilities, such as $34,186,394 in 2023, are substantial relative to assets and warrant further investigation to understand if they are program-related (e.g., grants payable) or operational debts.

How does the organization manage its highly variable annual revenue and expenses?

The significant fluctuations, like $126,948 revenue in 2023 vs. $8,500,030 in 2021, suggest reliance on investment returns or large, infrequent contributions, requiring robust financial planning to ensure consistent mission delivery.

What percentage of total expenses is allocated to grants and distributions?

As a legacy foundation, a high percentage of expenses should ideally be directed towards grants and distributions to other organizations, which constitutes its primary program activity. This specific breakdown is not available in the provided summary data.

What is the source of the organization's substantial asset growth?

Assets have grown from $35,078,851 in 2014 to $84,835,040 currently, indicating successful investment strategies, significant contributions, or a combination thereof, which is crucial for a foundation's long-term sustainability.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:

Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc's revenue has declined by 91%, moving from $1.4M to $127K. Total assets increased by 153.4% over the same period, from $25.3M to $64.2M. Total functional expenses rose by 7.7%, from $1.4M to $1.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $1.4M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $34.2M in liabilities against $64.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 53.3%), resulting in net assets of $30.0M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$127K	$1.5M	$64.2M	$34.2M	—	View 990
2022	$3.1M	$1.7M	$56.4M	$28.9M	—	View 990
2021	$8.5M	$1.4M	$63.7M	$30.8M	—	View 990
2020	$2.7M	$1.0M	$47.8M	$22.4M	—	View 990
2019	$1.9M	$1.1M	$44.3M	$19.9M	—	View 990
2018	$1.4M	$1.2M	$43.3M	$19.5M	—	View 990
2017	$677K	$1.2M	$39.7M	$17.4M	—	View 990
2016	$2.0M	$1.4M	$33.8M	$14.1M	—	View 990
2015	$818K	$1.4M	$35.4M	$13.8M	—	View 990
2014	$2.6M	$1.7M	$35.1M	$11.9M	—	View 990
2013	$1.5M	$1.9M	$29.6M	$8.2M	—	View 990
2012	$828K	$1.5M	$26.4M	$5.7M	—	View 990
2011	$1.4M	$1.4M	$25.3M	$3.0M	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $127K, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $64.2M (revenue -95.9% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $3.1M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $56.4M (revenue -63.3% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $8.5M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $63.7M (revenue +211.1% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $47.8M (revenue +41.9% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $44.3M (revenue +39.0% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $43.3M (revenue +104.6% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $677K, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $39.7M (revenue -65.7% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $33.8M (revenue +141.5% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $818K, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $35.4M (revenue -68.4% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $35.1M (revenue +73.5% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $29.6M (revenue +80.0% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $828K, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $26.4M (revenue -41.3% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $25.3M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc 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.