Mercer Family Foundation
Mercer Family Foundation maintains substantial assets despite highly volatile annual revenue and expenses.
EIN: 201982204 · Waltham, MA · NTEE: T22 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $4.2M |
| Total Expenses | $3.7M |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| Net Assets | $87.6M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Mercer Family Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Mercer Family Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Mercer Family Foundation
Mercer Family Foundation (EIN: 201982204) is a nonprofit organization based in Waltham, MA, classified under NTEE code T22. The organization reported total revenue of $4.2M and total assets of $88.3M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Mercer Family Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Mercer Family Foundation is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 21 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -14.0%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $2.7M |
| Total Expenses | $3.7M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-1,002,908 |
| Total Assets | $87.6M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $87.6M |
| Operating Margin | -36.6% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 280.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Mercer Family Foundation reported a deficit of $1.0M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 280.6 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), Mercer Family Foundation's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -14.0%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -88.4% | -88.3% | -0.9% |
| 2022 | -52.0% | +354.3% | -8.7% |
| 2021 | +66.8% | -64.3% | +111.9% |
| 2020 | +123.3% | +787.3% | +27.0% |
| 2019 | -2.5% | -90.9% | +58.3% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2005 |
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 Mercer Family 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: 5%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Mercer Family Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 5%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 5%. 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 $1.0M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers receive salaries from the foundation, which is highly favorable 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 Mercer Family Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant year-over-year revenue and expense volatility, making financial planning and predictability challenging.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Mercer Family Foundation:
- Substantial asset base ($88,315,177 latest) provides long-term financial stability.
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds and strong donor trust.
- Minimal liabilities reported across all filings, suggesting a healthy balance sheet.
- Consistent IRS 990 filing history (10 filings) demonstrates commitment to transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mercer Family Foundation
Is Mercer Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Mercer Family Foundation (EIN: 201982204) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Mercer Family Foundation spend its money?
Mercer Family Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Mercer Family Foundation tax-deductible?
Mercer Family Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 201982204). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Mercer Family Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Mercer Family Foundation directs 90% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Mercer Family Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Mercer Family Foundation is above average for NTEE category T22 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Mercer Family Foundation located?
Mercer Family Foundation is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts and files with the IRS under EIN 201982204. It is classified under NTEE code T22.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Mercer Family Foundation have?
Mercer Family 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 $4.2M in total revenue.
Why are the annual revenues and expenses so volatile?
The provided data shows significant fluctuations, such as revenue dropping from $49,236,529 in 2021 to $23,608,938 in 2022, and expenses varying from $7,065,095 in 2021 to $32,098,499 in 2022. This volatility could be due to large, infrequent grants received or made, or significant investment gains/losses, which would require reviewing the full 990s for detailed explanations.
How does the foundation manage its significant asset base?
With assets consistently around $88 million to $96 million in recent years, and a latest reported asset value of $88,315,177, the foundation likely employs professional asset management strategies. The NTEE code T22 (Private Grantmaking Foundations) suggests these assets are primarily used to generate income for grantmaking activities.
What is the primary purpose of the foundation's expenditures?
Given its classification as a Private Grantmaking Foundation (NTEE T22), the majority of its expenditures are expected to be in the form of grants to other organizations or individuals, aligning with its programmatic mission. The consistent 0% officer compensation suggests that operational costs are kept very low.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Mercer Family Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Mercer Family Foundation's revenue has declined by 83.7%, moving from $16.8M to $2.7M. Total assets increased by 131.2% over the same period, from $37.9M to $87.6M. Total functional expenses fell by 47.3%, from $7.1M to $3.7M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Mercer Family Foundation reported a deficit of $1.0M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $87.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $87.6M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.7M | $3.7M | $87.6M | $1 | — | — |
| 2022 | $23.6M | $32.1M | $88.4M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $49.2M | $7.1M | $96.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $29.5M | $19.8M | $45.7M | $16K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $13.2M | $2.2M | $36.0M | $1 | — | — |
| 2015 | $13.6M | $24.6M | $22.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $16.9M | $18.3M | $33.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $11.1M | $13.5M | $35.2M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $11.4M | $11.7M | $37.6M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $16.8M | $7.1M | $37.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $3.7M, and assets of $87.6M (revenue -88.4% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $23.6M, expenses of $32.1M, and assets of $88.4M (revenue -52.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $49.2M, expenses of $7.1M, and assets of $96.8M (revenue +66.8% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $29.5M, expenses of $19.8M, and assets of $45.7M (revenue +123.3% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $13.2M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $36.0M (revenue -2.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $13.6M, expenses of $24.6M, and assets of $22.7M (revenue -19.7% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $16.9M, expenses of $18.3M, and assets of $33.7M (revenue +52.5% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $11.1M, expenses of $13.5M, and assets of $35.2M (revenue -3.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $11.4M, expenses of $11.7M, and assets of $37.6M (revenue -32.0% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $16.8M, expenses of $7.1M, and assets of $37.9M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Mercer Family Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Mercer Family 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.