Mel Wolf Foundation
Mel Wolf Foundation faces persistent operating deficits, leading to a decline in assets.
EIN: 201270730 · Denver, CO · NTEE: T22 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Mel Wolf Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Mel Wolf Foundation directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Mel Wolf Foundation
Mel Wolf Foundation (EIN: 201270730) is a nonprofit organization based in Denver, CO, classified under NTEE code T22. The organization reported total revenue of $856K and total assets of $3.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Mel Wolf 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 Mel Wolf Foundation with a Mission Score of 55 out of 100 (Fair). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Mel Wolf Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Officer compensation has consistently been reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no salaries are paid to officers, 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 Mel Wolf Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits: Expenses have significantly outpaced revenue in most recent periods (e.g., $290,387 expenses vs. $81,615 revenue in 2023).
- Declining asset base: Assets have decreased from $4,524,251 in 2019 to $3,690,249 in 2023, indicating an unsustainable financial trend.
- Lack of detailed expense breakdown: Without a clear breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's difficult to fully assess spending efficiency.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Mel Wolf Foundation:
- No reported officer compensation: Officer compensation has consistently been 0%, indicating that executive salaries are not a drain on resources.
- Substantial asset base: Despite recent declines, the organization still holds over $3.5 million in assets, providing a buffer for operations.
- Consistent filing history: The organization has a consistent record of filing its IRS Form 990s, indicating compliance with reporting requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mel Wolf Foundation
Is Mel Wolf Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Mel Wolf Foundation (EIN: 201270730) some concerns. Mission Score: 55/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Mel Wolf Foundation spend its money?
Mel Wolf Foundation directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Mel Wolf Foundation tax-deductible?
Mel Wolf Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 201270730). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is the Mel Wolf Foundation financially sustainable?
Based on the consistent operating deficits, where expenses ($290,387 in 2023) significantly exceed revenue ($81,615 in 2023), the current financial model is not sustainable without drawing down assets or securing substantial new funding.
Why are the assets declining?
Assets have declined from $4,524,251 in 2019 to $3,690,249 in 2023 primarily because the organization's expenses have consistently exceeded its revenue, forcing it to use its existing asset base to cover operational costs.
What is the organization's primary source of revenue?
The provided data only shows total revenue, not its sources. Given the NTEE code T22 (Private Grantmaking Foundations), it's likely that investment income or contributions from a founding donor are primary sources, but this cannot be confirmed without more detailed filings.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Mel Wolf Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Mel Wolf Foundation's revenue has declined by 68.7%, moving from $260K to $82K. Total assets decreased by 4.3% over the same period, from $3.9M to $3.7M. Total functional expenses rose by 23.9%, from $234K to $290K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Mel Wolf Foundation reported a deficit of $209K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $3.7M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $3.7M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $82K | $290K | $3.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $29K | $283K | $3.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $291K | $325K | $4.2M | $1 | — | — |
| 2020 | $223K | $311K | $4.2M | $18K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $717K | $283K | $4.5M | $250K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $225K | $243K | $3.9M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $258K | $289K | $3.9M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $388K | $294K | $4.0M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $300K | $279K | $3.9M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $260K | $234K | $3.9M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $82K, expenses of $290K, and assets of $3.7M (revenue +185.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $29K, expenses of $283K, and assets of $3.9M (revenue -90.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $291K, expenses of $325K, and assets of $4.2M (revenue +30.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $223K, expenses of $311K, and assets of $4.2M (revenue -68.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $717K, expenses of $283K, and assets of $4.5M (revenue +219.1% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $225K, expenses of $243K, and assets of $3.9M (revenue -13.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $258K, expenses of $289K, and assets of $3.9M (revenue -33.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $388K, expenses of $294K, and assets of $4.0M (revenue +29.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $300K, expenses of $279K, and assets of $3.9M (revenue +15.1% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $260K, expenses of $234K, and assets of $3.9M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Mel Wolf 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.