Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr
Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr consistently operates with zero executive compensation while distributing funds, leading to a gradual asset decline.
EIN: 16168256 · Portland, ME · NTEE: T90 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $444K |
| Total Expenses | $152K |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| Net Assets | $1.3M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr
Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr (EIN: 16168256) is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, ME, classified under NTEE code T90. The organization reported total revenue of $444K and total assets of $1.3M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 14 years, with 9 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -22.8%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $98K |
| Total Expenses | $152K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-53,559 |
| Total Assets | $1.3M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $1.3M |
| Operating Margin | -54.4% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 99.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr reported a deficit of $54K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 99.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 9 years of filings (2012–2023), Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -22.8%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +78.4% | -2.8% | -3.5% |
| 2022 | -67.0% | +0.6% | -7.2% |
| 2021 | +79.5% | +26.4% | +0.8% |
| 2020 | +49.8% | -0.8% | -2.5% |
| 2019 | -52.7% | +11.8% | -17.8% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2012 |
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 Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr 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, Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr 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:
- The organization reported a deficit of $54K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no executive salaries are paid, which is highly efficient for a charitable trust of this size.
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 Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits (e.g., $98,422 revenue vs. $151,981 expenses in 2023) indicate reliance on asset drawdowns.
- Gradual decline in total assets over time (from $1,747,391 in 2015 to $1,265,466 in 2023) suggests a spending rate that exceeds investment returns.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr:
- Zero executive compensation reported across all filings, demonstrating highly efficient use of funds.
- Consistent and transparent IRS 990 filings.
- Stable asset base over $1.2 million, allowing for continued grantmaking.
- Low liabilities ($1 across multiple years) indicates minimal financial risk outside of core operations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr
Is Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr (EIN: 16168256) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr spend its money?
Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr tax-deductible?
Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 16168256). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How does Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr is above average for NTEE category T90 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr located?
Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr is headquartered in Portland, Maine and files with the IRS under EIN 16168256. It is classified under NTEE code T90.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr have?
Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr has 9 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 $444K in total revenue.
Is Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr a good charity?
Based on the available data, the Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr appears to be a well-managed private foundation. It consistently reports zero executive compensation, indicating that all operational expenses are directed towards its mission. While it operates with consistent deficits (e.g., $98,422 revenue vs. $151,981 expenses in 2023), this is typical for grantmaking foundations that distribute more than their annual investment income. Its primary function is to distribute grants, and the absence of executive salaries suggests a strong commitment to its charitable purpose.
How does the organization manage its assets given the consistent deficits?
The organization manages its assets by drawing down on its endowment. For example, its assets decreased from $1,412,533 in 2021 to $1,265,466 in 2023, while expenses consistently exceeded revenue. This is a common and acceptable practice for private foundations that aim to distribute a certain percentage of their assets annually for charitable purposes, rather than solely relying on annual investment income.
What is the primary purpose of this organization?
As a private grantmaking foundation (NTEE Code T90), its primary purpose is to provide grants to other organizations or individuals for charitable, educational, religious, or other purposes that align with its founding charter. The financial data, showing consistent expenses (likely grant distributions) and no executive compensation, supports this function.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr showing financial trends over 9 years of public records:
Over 9 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2023), Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr's revenue has declined by 94.2%, moving from $1.7M to $98K. Total assets decreased by 19.9% over the same period, from $1.6M to $1.3M. Total functional expenses rose by 40.8%, from $108K to $152K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr reported a deficit of $54K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $1.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $1.3M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $98K | $152K | $1.3M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $55K | $156K | $1.3M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $167K | $155K | $1.4M | $1 | — | — |
| 2020 | $93K | $123K | $1.4M | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $62K | $124K | $1.4M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $131K | $111K | $1.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $187K | $115K | $1.7M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $182K | $107K | $1.7M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.7M | $108K | $1.6M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $98K, expenses of $152K, and assets of $1.3M (revenue +78.4% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $55K, expenses of $156K, and assets of $1.3M (revenue -67.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $167K, expenses of $155K, and assets of $1.4M (revenue +79.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $93K, expenses of $123K, and assets of $1.4M (revenue +49.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $62K, expenses of $124K, and assets of $1.4M (revenue -52.7% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $131K, expenses of $111K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue -29.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $187K, expenses of $115K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue +2.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $182K, expenses of $107K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue -89.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $108K, and assets of $1.6M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Margaret W Soule Charitable Tr 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.