Merkin Family Foundation
Merkin Family Foundation maintains substantial assets while consistently reporting zero officer compensation.
EIN: 200527223 · Marina Dl Rey, CA · NTEE: T22 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Merkin Family Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Merkin Family Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Merkin Family Foundation
Merkin Family Foundation (EIN: 200527223) is a nonprofit organization based in Marina Dl Rey, CA, classified under NTEE code T22. The organization reported total revenue of $26.0M and total assets of $228.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Merkin Family 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 Merkin Family Foundation with a Mission Score of 90 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, Merkin Family Foundation 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.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers receive salaries from the foundation, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size and suggests a strong dedication of resources directly to its mission.
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 Merkin Family Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Recent trend of expenses exceeding revenue, potentially drawing down on assets if not balanced by future revenue or investment gains.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Merkin Family Foundation:
- Substantial and growing asset base ($228,648,321 currently).
- Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency and mission focus.
- Long history of IRS 990 filings, demonstrating transparency.
- Significant financial capacity to support its mission.
Frequently Asked Questions about Merkin Family Foundation
Is Merkin Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Merkin Family Foundation (EIN: 200527223) some concerns. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Merkin Family Foundation spend its money?
Merkin Family Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Merkin Family Foundation tax-deductible?
Merkin Family Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 200527223). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is the Merkin Family Foundation a good charity?
Based on the provided data, the Merkin Family Foundation appears to be a very good charity. It has substantial assets ($228,648,321), a long history of operations, and consistently reports 0% officer compensation, suggesting a high dedication of funds to its mission.
How does the Merkin Family Foundation fund its operations?
The foundation primarily funds its operations through its significant asset base. While it generates revenue (e.g., $5,459,799 in 2023), its expenses have recently exceeded revenue, indicating it draws from its endowment to support its activities.
What is the trend in the foundation's assets?
The foundation's assets have shown significant growth over time, increasing from $46,922,610 in 2011 to $228,648,321 currently, demonstrating effective asset management.
Is the Merkin Family Foundation transparent?
Yes, the foundation demonstrates transparency through its consistent filing of IRS 990 forms over a decade, providing public access to its financial information.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Merkin Family Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Merkin Family Foundation's revenue has declined by 2.7%, moving from $5.6M to $5.5M. Total assets increased by 387.4% over the same period, from $46.9M to $228.7M. Total functional expenses rose by 206.7%, from $4.0M to $12.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Merkin Family Foundation reported a deficit of $6.9M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $5.5M | $12.3M | $228.7M | $-2,895 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $7.0M | $13.1M | $235.7M | $174K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $31.9M | $18.9M | $241.8M | $74K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $35.4M | $14.2M | $228.7M | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $11.6M | $7.7M | $207.4M | $1 | — | — |
| 2015 | $43.1M | $5.6M | $145.4M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $32.9M | $5.6M | $107.9M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $35.8M | $6.7M | $80.6M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $10.5M | $5.9M | $51.5M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $5.6M | $4.0M | $46.9M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $5.5M, expenses of $12.3M, and assets of $228.7M (revenue -21.7% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $7.0M, expenses of $13.1M, and assets of $235.7M (revenue -78.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $31.9M, expenses of $18.9M, and assets of $241.8M (revenue -10.1% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $35.4M, expenses of $14.2M, and assets of $228.7M (revenue +206.0% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $11.6M, expenses of $7.7M, and assets of $207.4M (revenue -73.1% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $43.1M, expenses of $5.6M, and assets of $145.4M (revenue +30.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $32.9M, expenses of $5.6M, and assets of $107.9M (revenue -8.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $35.8M, expenses of $6.7M, and assets of $80.6M (revenue +242.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $10.5M, expenses of $5.9M, and assets of $51.5M (revenue +86.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $5.6M, expenses of $4.0M, and assets of $46.9M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Merkin 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.