M & T Charitable Foundation

M & T Charitable Foundation maintains substantial assets despite highly variable annual revenue and expenses, with no reported officer compensation.

EIN: 161448017 · Buffalo, NY · Updated: 2026-03-28

$19.3MRevenue
$182.2MAssets
85/100Mission Score (Excellent)
M & T Charitable Foundation Financial Summary
MetricValue
Total Revenue$19.3M
Total Expenses$41.1M
Program Spending90%
Net Assets$202.2M
Transparency Score85/100

Is M & T Charitable Foundation Legit?

Some Concerns

GoodFiling Consistency
ExcellentSpending Efficiency
GoodTransparency
2 FoundRed Flags

Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →

M & T Charitable Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.

About M & T Charitable Foundation

M & T Charitable Foundation (EIN: 161448017) is a nonprofit organization based in Buffalo, NY. The organization reported total revenue of $19.3M and total assets of $182.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of M & T Charitable Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

Organization Overview

32Years Operating
LargeSize Classification
10Years of Filings
MixedRevenue Trajectory

M & T Charitable Foundation is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 32 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -5.1%.

Key Financial Metrics (2023)

From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:

Total Revenue$21.3M
Total Expenses$41.1M
Surplus / Deficit$-19,758,346
Total Assets$203.2M
Total Liabilities$1.0M
Net Assets$202.2M
Operating Margin-92.6%
Debt-to-Asset Ratio0.5%
Months of Reserves59.3 months

Financial Health Grade: B

In 2023, M & T Charitable Foundation reported a deficit of $19.8M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 59.3 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.5% (very low leverage).

Financial Trends

Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), M & T Charitable Foundation's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.1%.

YearRevenue ChangeExpense ChangeAsset Change
2023-91.1%-0.3%-6.3%
2022+722.8%+40.4%+904.9%
2021+248.4%-2.5%+7.9%
2020+879.7%+4.4%-54.1%
2019-98.3%+43.1%+32.4%

IRS Tax-Exempt Classification

IRS Classification Codes1000
IRS Ruling Date1994

Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.

AI Transparency Report

The M & T Charitable Foundation exhibits a highly variable financial profile, typical of a grant-making foundation. Revenue has fluctuated significantly, from a low of $850,012 in 2019 to a high of $238,723,644 in 2022. Similarly, expenses have varied, though generally remaining in the $14 million to $41 million range across most years, with a notable exception in 2023 where expenses were $41,088,751 against revenue of $21,330,405, indicating a year where grants exceeded incoming funds. The foundation maintains substantial assets, reaching $203,176,299 in 2023, which provides a strong base for future grant-making activities despite annual revenue fluctuations. Spending efficiency, in the context of a charitable foundation, is primarily measured by the proportion of funds distributed as grants versus administrative overhead. Without detailed expense breakdowns beyond total expenses, it's challenging to precisely quantify program spending. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests a lean administrative structure at the executive level, which is a positive indicator for efficiency. The foundation's ability to disburse significant funds, often exceeding annual revenue in certain periods (e.g., 2023, 2020, 2019), demonstrates its commitment to its mission, drawing from its substantial asset base. Transparency appears strong, with a consistent filing history of 10 IRS 990 forms. The absence of reported officer compensation is a key transparency point, indicating that the foundation's leadership may be uncompensated or compensated through an affiliated entity, which would warrant further investigation for a complete picture. The significant asset base and fluctuating revenue/expense patterns are clearly documented, allowing for a reasonable assessment of its financial operations.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates M & T Charitable 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: 90%
  • fundraising: 0%

According to IRS 990 filings, M & T Charitable Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 0%. With 90% 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:

$21.3MTotal Revenue
$41.1MTotal Expenses
$203.2MTotal Assets
$1.0MTotal Liabilities
$202.2MNet Assets
  • The organization reported a deficit of $19.8M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
  • Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.5%.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, suggesting that the foundation's officers are either uncompensated or compensated by an affiliated entity, which is a positive indicator for minimizing administrative overhead.

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 M & T Charitable Foundation's IRS 990 filings:

  • Significant annual revenue volatility, which could indicate reliance on unpredictable large contributions.
  • Expenses frequently exceed revenue in several periods (e.g., 2023, 2020, 2019), indicating reliance on asset drawdowns, which while sustainable with large assets, warrants monitoring.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for M & T Charitable Foundation:

  • Strong asset base, reaching over $200 million in 2023, providing long-term financial stability.
  • Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating a lean executive administrative cost structure.
  • Long and consistent IRS 990 filing history (10 filings), demonstrating good transparency.
  • Ability to disburse significant funds, often exceeding annual revenue, demonstrating commitment to mission.

Frequently Asked Questions about M & T Charitable Foundation

Is M & T Charitable Foundation a legitimate charity?

M & T Charitable Foundation (EIN: 161448017) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 85/100. It has 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $19.3M. 2 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.

How does M & T Charitable Foundation spend its money?

M & T Charitable Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.

Are donations to M & T Charitable Foundation tax-deductible?

M & T Charitable Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 161448017). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.

Where is M & T Charitable Foundation located?

M & T Charitable Foundation is headquartered in Buffalo, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 161448017.

How many years of IRS 990 filings does M & T Charitable Foundation have?

M & T Charitable Foundation has 10 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 $19.3M in total revenue.

How does M & T Charitable Foundation manage its significant revenue fluctuations?

The foundation appears to manage revenue fluctuations by drawing from its substantial asset base. For example, in 2023, revenue was $21,330,405 while expenses were $41,088,751, indicating a significant disbursement from accumulated assets. This strategy allows for consistent grant-making despite inconsistent annual income.

What is the primary source of the foundation's revenue?

While the specific breakdown isn't provided in the summary, the large and fluctuating revenue figures, particularly the $238,723,644 in 2022, suggest that the foundation likely receives significant contributions from M&T Bank or related entities, and potentially investment income from its substantial assets.

Does the foundation have a strong financial reserve?

Yes, the foundation maintains a very strong financial reserve, with assets reaching $203,176,299 in 2023. This substantial asset base provides stability and the capacity for significant future grant-making.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for M & T Charitable Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:

Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), M & T Charitable Foundation's revenue has declined by 46.7%, moving from $40.0M to $21.3M. Total assets increased by 585.9% over the same period, from $29.6M to $203.2M. Total functional expenses rose by 187.1%, from $14.3M to $41.1M. In its most recent filing year (2023), M & T Charitable Foundation reported a deficit of $19.8M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1.0M in liabilities against $203.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.5%), resulting in net assets of $202.2M.

YearRevenueExpensesAssetsLiabilitiesOfficer Comp. %PDF
2023 $21.3M $41.1M $203.2M $1.0M View 990
2022 $238.7M $41.2M $216.8M $216K View 990
2021 $29.0M $29.3M $21.6M $120K View 990
2020 $8.3M $30.1M $20.0M $1
2019 $850K $28.8M $43.5M $6K View 990
2015 $48.8M $20.1M $32.9M $11K View 990
2014 $18.1M $18.8M $5.1M $866K View 990
2013 $11.1M $19.4M $5.4M $177K View 990
2012 $1.2M $17.7M $13.2M $0 View 990
2011 $40.0M $14.3M $29.6M $0 View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

  • 2023: Revenue of $21.3M, expenses of $41.1M, and assets of $203.2M (revenue -91.1% year-over-year).
  • 2022: Revenue of $238.7M, expenses of $41.2M, and assets of $216.8M (revenue +722.8% year-over-year).
  • 2021: Revenue of $29.0M, expenses of $29.3M, and assets of $21.6M (revenue +248.4% year-over-year).
  • 2020: Revenue of $8.3M, expenses of $30.1M, and assets of $20.0M (revenue +879.7% year-over-year).
  • 2019: Revenue of $850K, expenses of $28.8M, and assets of $43.5M (revenue -98.3% year-over-year).
  • 2015: Revenue of $48.8M, expenses of $20.1M, and assets of $32.9M (revenue +169.4% year-over-year).
  • 2014: Revenue of $18.1M, expenses of $18.8M, and assets of $5.1M (revenue +62.9% year-over-year).
  • 2013: Revenue of $11.1M, expenses of $19.4M, and assets of $5.4M (revenue +806.1% year-over-year).
  • 2012: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $17.7M, and assets of $13.2M (revenue -96.9% year-over-year).
  • 2011: Revenue of $40.0M, expenses of $14.3M, and assets of $29.6M.

View Individual Filing Years

Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for M & T Charitable Foundation:

2023 Filing 2022 Filing 2021 Filing 2020 Filing 2019 Filing 2015 Filing 2014 Filing 2013 Filing 2012 Filing 2011 Filing

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for M & T Charitable 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.

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