Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation

Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation consistently spends more than it earns, drawing down assets.

EIN: 205504801 · Osage, IA · NTEE: T99 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$217KRevenue

$376KAssets

70/100Mission Score (Good)

T99

About Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation

Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation (EIN: 205504801) is a nonprofit organization based in Osage, IA, classified under NTEE code T99. The organization reported total revenue of $217K and total assets of $376K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation appears to be a small, private foundation primarily focused on grantmaking, as indicated by its NTEE code T99 (Other). Its financial health shows a consistent pattern of expenses exceeding revenue in most recent years, leading to a gradual decline in assets from $519,437 in 2012 to $386,855 in 2023. For example, in 2023, revenue was $11,867 while expenses were $19,611. This trend suggests the foundation is spending down its principal rather than growing its endowment through new contributions. Given its nature as a private foundation, its spending efficiency should be evaluated in terms of its grantmaking activities relative to administrative costs, though specific program spending details are not provided in the summary data. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation indicates good stewardship regarding executive pay.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation with a Mission Score of 70 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, Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation 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

Executive compensation has consistently been reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers or key employees are receiving salaries from the foundation, which is a positive sign for 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 Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation's IRS 990 filings:

Consistent negative net income (expenses exceeding revenue) in most recent years, leading to asset depletion.
Lack of detailed program spending information in the provided summary, making it difficult to assess direct impact.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation:

Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds for administrative overhead.
Low liabilities consistently reported ($0 or $1), suggesting sound financial management regarding debt.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation

What specific programs or grants does the Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation support?

The provided data does not detail specific programs or grants. As a T99 NTEE code organization, it's categorized as 'Other,' suggesting a broad or unspecified philanthropic focus. Further investigation into their 990-PF filings would be necessary to identify their grant recipients.

Is the foundation's asset decline a concern for its long-term viability?

The consistent decline in assets, from $519,437 in 2012 to $386,855 in 2023, is a clear trend. If the foundation intends to operate in perpetuity, this spending pattern is unsustainable without new significant revenue streams. If it's designed to spend down its endowment over a defined period, then this trend might be intentional.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:

Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation's revenue has grown by 32.5%, moving from $9K to $12K. Total assets decreased by 22.6% over the same period, from $500K to $387K. Total functional expenses rose by 594.9%, from $3K to $20K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation reported a deficit of $8K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $387K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $387K.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$12K	$20K	$387K	$1	—	—
2022	$10K	$33K	$439K	$1	—	—
2021	$7K	$33K	$445K	$1	—	—
2020	$8K	$30K	$440K	$1	—	—
2019	$10K	$33K	$433K	$0	—	View 990
2015	$13K	$32K	$518K	$1	—	View 990
2014	$13K	$35K	$518K	$0	—	View 990
2013	$11K	$8K	$518K	$0	—	View 990
2012	$11K	$4K	$519K	$0	—	View 990
2011	$9K	$3K	$500K	$0	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $12K, expenses of $20K, and assets of $387K (revenue +20.4% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $10K, expenses of $33K, and assets of $439K (revenue +49.0% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $7K, expenses of $33K, and assets of $445K (revenue -21.6% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $8K, expenses of $30K, and assets of $440K (revenue -16.1% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $10K, expenses of $33K, and assets of $433K (revenue -20.5% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $13K, expenses of $32K, and assets of $518K (revenue -2.5% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $13K, expenses of $35K, and assets of $518K (revenue +15.0% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $11K, expenses of $8K, and assets of $518K (revenue +6.1% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $11K, expenses of $4K, and assets of $519K (revenue +18.7% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $9K, expenses of $3K, and assets of $500K.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Mary Lou Salisbury 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.