Mather Foundation
Mather Foundation consistently grows assets and reports 0% officer compensation, demonstrating strong financial stewardship.
EIN: 201030638 · Evanston, IL · NTEE: E19 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Mather Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Mather Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Mather Foundation
Mather Foundation (EIN: 201030638) is a nonprofit organization based in Evanston, IL, classified under NTEE code E19. The organization reported total revenue of $134.2M and total assets of $807.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Mather Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Mather Foundation with a Mission Score of 92 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, Mather 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.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Mather Foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries or benefits are paid to its officers, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size with assets exceeding $700 million.
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 Mather Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Lack of detailed program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdown in provided data prevents a granular analysis of spending efficiency.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Mather Foundation:
- Consistent asset growth, from $461.7 million in 2015 to $733.6 million in 2023, indicating strong financial management.
- Remarkable 0% officer compensation reported across all filings, suggesting high efficiency in directing funds to mission.
- Revenue generally exceeds expenses, allowing for reinvestment and asset accumulation (e.g., 2023 revenue $44.1M vs. expenses $24.2M).
- Substantial asset base of over $700 million provides long-term stability and capacity for significant programmatic impact.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mather Foundation
Is Mather Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Mather Foundation (EIN: 201030638) some concerns. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Mather Foundation spend its money?
Mather Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Mather Foundation tax-deductible?
Mather Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 201030638). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Mather Foundation a good charity?
Based on the provided financial data, Mather Foundation appears to be a very good charity. It demonstrates strong financial health, consistent asset growth, and a remarkable commitment to directing resources to its mission by reporting 0% officer compensation.
How has Mather Foundation's financial health changed over time?
Mather Foundation's financial health has significantly strengthened over time. Its assets have grown from $461.7 million in 2015 to $733.6 million in 2023, indicating robust financial management and growth in its endowment or reserves.
What is the Mather Foundation's approach to executive compensation?
The Mather Foundation's approach to executive compensation is highly conservative, reporting 0% officer compensation in all available IRS 990 filings. This suggests that officers are either volunteers or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, or the foundation's structure does not involve paid officers in the traditional sense.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Mather Foundation showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Mather Foundation's revenue has grown by 52.4%, moving from $29.0M to $44.2M. Total assets increased by 84.9% over the same period, from $396.9M to $733.7M. Total functional expenses rose by 52.2%, from $15.9M to $24.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Mather Foundation reported a surplus of $19.9M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $105.2M in liabilities against $733.7M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 14.3%), resulting in net assets of $628.4M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $44.2M | $24.3M | $733.7M | $105.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $45.7M | $25.2M | $667.4M | $101.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $59.9M | $64.7M | $740.8M | $102.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $29.6M | $26.9M | $590.9M | $2.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $48.8M | $29.1M | $550.7M | $2.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $27.4M | $22.3M | $502.2M | $2.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $45.0M | $29.7M | $523.4M | $79K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $32.7M | $22.0M | $480.5M | $78K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $26.9M | $15.7M | $461.7M | $171K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $53.6M | $13.6M | $474.3M | $191K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $40.4M | $16.6M | $440.0M | $3.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $29.9M | $17.5M | $424.3M | $28.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $29.0M | $15.9M | $396.9M | $32.2M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $44.2M, expenses of $24.3M, and assets of $733.7M (revenue -3.4% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $45.7M, expenses of $25.2M, and assets of $667.4M (revenue -23.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $59.9M, expenses of $64.7M, and assets of $740.8M (revenue +101.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $29.6M, expenses of $26.9M, and assets of $590.9M (revenue -39.2% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $48.8M, expenses of $29.1M, and assets of $550.7M (revenue +78.1% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $27.4M, expenses of $22.3M, and assets of $502.2M (revenue -39.1% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $45.0M, expenses of $29.7M, and assets of $523.4M (revenue +37.6% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $32.7M, expenses of $22.0M, and assets of $480.5M (revenue +21.6% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $26.9M, expenses of $15.7M, and assets of $461.7M (revenue -49.8% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $53.6M, expenses of $13.6M, and assets of $474.3M (revenue +32.7% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $40.4M, expenses of $16.6M, and assets of $440.0M (revenue +34.9% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $29.9M, expenses of $17.5M, and assets of $424.3M (revenue +3.3% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $29.0M, expenses of $15.9M, and assets of $396.9M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Mather 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.