Lyme Foundation
Lyme Foundation maintains strong asset base with volunteer leadership, but faces occasional revenue shortfalls against expenses.
EIN: 20485328 · Lyme, NH · NTEE: T70 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $139K |
| Total Expenses | $108K |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| Net Assets | $1.7M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Lyme Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Lyme Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Lyme Foundation
Lyme Foundation (EIN: 20485328) is a nonprofit organization based in Lyme, NH, classified under NTEE code T70. The organization reported total revenue of $139K and total assets of $1.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Lyme Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Lyme Foundation is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 29 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2024). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -3.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2024)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $114K |
| Total Expenses | $108K |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$7K |
| Total Assets | $1.7M |
| Net Assets | $1.7M |
| Operating Margin | 5.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 190.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2024, Lyme Foundation reported a surplus of $7K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 190.8 months of operating reserves (strong position).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2012–2024), Lyme Foundation's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +26.6% | -32.3% | +10.2% |
| 2023 | -18.1% | +28.0% | +3.0% |
| 2022 | -3.6% | -7.8% | -10.3% |
| 2021 | -25.0% | -61.6% | +16.3% |
| 2020 | -31.1% | +26.1% | -12.8% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1997 |
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 Lyme Foundation with a Mission Score of 85 out of 100 (Excellent). 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, Lyme 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.
Key Financial Metrics (2024)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $7K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating a volunteer-led organization, which is highly favorable for directing resources to its mission.
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 Lyme Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Occasional significant expense overruns compared to revenue (e.g., 202006 expenses $350,845 vs. revenue $152,760; 202306 expenses $159,037 vs. revenue $90,416), which could indicate reliance on reserves or unsustainable spending patterns if not explained by specific projects.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Lyme Foundation:
- Strong and growing asset base (latest assets $1,781,926) providing financial stability.
- Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-driven leadership and efficient use of funds for mission-related activities.
- Excellent transparency with 13 consistent IRS 990 filings available.
- Minimal to no liabilities reported in most periods, reflecting a healthy financial position.
- Long operational history with consistent financial reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lyme Foundation
Is Lyme Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lyme Foundation (EIN: 20485328) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Lyme Foundation spend its money?
Lyme Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Lyme Foundation tax-deductible?
Lyme Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 20485328). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Lyme Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Lyme Foundation directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Lyme Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Lyme Foundation is above average for NTEE category T70 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Lyme Foundation located?
Lyme Foundation is headquartered in Lyme, New Hampshire and files with the IRS under EIN 20485328. It is classified under NTEE code T70.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Lyme Foundation have?
Lyme Foundation has 13 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 $139K in total revenue.
Is Lyme Foundation a good charity?
Based on the available data, Lyme Foundation appears to be a well-managed charity with a strong asset base ($1,781,926 latest assets) and a commitment to volunteer leadership (0% officer compensation). Its consistent IRS 990 filings also indicate good transparency. However, periods where expenses significantly exceed revenue (e.g., 202306 and 202006) warrant further investigation into the nature of those expenses.
How does Lyme Foundation manage its expenses relative to its revenue?
Lyme Foundation generally manages its expenses well, often operating with a surplus or minor deficit. However, there have been notable periods, such as 202006 (Expenses: $350,845, Revenue: $152,760) and 202306 (Expenses: $159,037, Revenue: $90,416), where expenses significantly outpaced revenue. This suggests either strategic spending from reserves or reliance on prior period surpluses.
What is the trend in Lyme Foundation's assets?
Lyme Foundation has shown a strong and generally increasing trend in its assets over the years, from $1,167,129 in 201706 to $1,781,926 currently, indicating effective long-term financial stewardship and accumulation of resources.
Does Lyme Foundation have any liabilities?
For most periods, Lyme Foundation reports $0 in liabilities, indicating a very healthy balance sheet. The only exception in the provided data is 202206, where liabilities were reported as $15,000.
How transparent is Lyme Foundation?
Lyme Foundation demonstrates good transparency by consistently filing its IRS Form 990s over 13 periods, making its financial data publicly accessible. The detailed financial history provided allows for a thorough analysis of its operations.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Lyme Foundation showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2024), Lyme Foundation's revenue has declined by 32.6%, moving from $170K to $114K. Total assets increased by 26.1% over the same period, from $1.4M to $1.7M. Total functional expenses fell by 30.6%, from $155K to $108K. In its most recent filing year (2024), Lyme Foundation reported a surplus of $7K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $114K | $108K | $1.7M | $0 | — | — |
| 2023 | $90K | $159K | $1.6M | $0 | — | — |
| 2022 | $110K | $124K | $1.5M | $15K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $115K | $135K | $1.7M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $153K | $351K | $1.4M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $222K | $278K | $1.7M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $577K | $116K | $1.7M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $99K | $97K | $1.2M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $100K | $111K | $1.5M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $200K | $230K | $1.5M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $151K | $237K | $1.5M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $98K | $121K | $1.4M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $170K | $155K | $1.4M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2024: Revenue of $114K, expenses of $108K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue +26.6% year-over-year).
- 2023: Revenue of $90K, expenses of $159K, and assets of $1.6M (revenue -18.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $110K, expenses of $124K, and assets of $1.5M (revenue -3.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $115K, expenses of $135K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue -25.0% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $153K, expenses of $351K, and assets of $1.4M (revenue -31.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $222K, expenses of $278K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue -61.6% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $577K, expenses of $116K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue +481.2% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $99K, expenses of $97K, and assets of $1.2M (revenue -0.3% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $100K, expenses of $111K, and assets of $1.5M (revenue -50.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $200K, expenses of $230K, and assets of $1.5M (revenue +32.3% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $151K, expenses of $237K, and assets of $1.5M (revenue +54.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $98K, expenses of $121K, and assets of $1.4M (revenue -42.5% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $170K, expenses of $155K, and assets of $1.4M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Lyme Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Lyme 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.