Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation
Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation consistently spends more than it earns, drawing down its endowment.
EIN: 20534424 · Boston, MA · NTEE: T22 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $3.5M |
| Total Expenses | $420K |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| Net Assets | $4.6M |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Is Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation
Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation (EIN: 20534424) is a nonprofit organization based in Boston, MA, classified under NTEE code T22. The organization reported total revenue of $3.5M and total assets of $5.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 24 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2024). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -4.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2024)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $238K |
| Total Expenses | $420K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-181,820 |
| Total Assets | $4.6M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $4.6M |
| Operating Margin | -76.3% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 132.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2024, Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation reported a deficit of $182K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 132.4 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 (2012–2024), Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +7.2% | +7.5% | -3.8% |
| 2023 | +46.8% | -5.1% | -3.4% |
| 2022 | -69.2% | -2.7% | -5.0% |
| 2021 | +178.2% | +9.2% | +1.3% |
| 2020 | +46.4% | -51.1% | -19.6% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2002 |
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 Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation with a Mission Score of 75 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: 10%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 0%
According to IRS 990 filings, Michael And Helen Schaffer 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.
Key Financial Metrics (2024)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $182K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries are paid to its officers, which is highly unusual and suggests a volunteer-led or externally managed structure for its leadership.
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 Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent net asset decline: Assets decreased from $9.3 million in 2012 to $4.6 million in 2024, indicating a long-term trend of spending down the endowment.
- Expenses consistently exceed revenue: In the latest period (202407), expenses were $420,190 while revenue was $238,370, a pattern seen across most years.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation:
- Zero officer compensation: No salaries are paid to officers, indicating a highly lean or volunteer-driven leadership structure.
- Minimal liabilities: Liabilities are consistently reported as $0 or $1, showing strong financial control over debt.
- Consistent filing history: 10 years of IRS 990 filings are available, demonstrating transparency in reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions about Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation
Is Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation a legitimate charity?
Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation (EIN: 20534424) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Massachusetts. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 75/100. It has 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $3.5M. 2 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation spend its money?
Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation tax-deductible?
Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 20534424). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How does Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 75/100 (Good), Michael And Helen Schaffer 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 Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation located?
Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and files with the IRS under EIN 20534424. It is classified under NTEE code T22.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation have?
Michael And Helen Schaffer 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 $3.5M in total revenue.
What are the specific grantmaking activities and beneficiaries of the foundation?
The provided data does not detail the specific grantmaking activities or beneficiaries. As a private foundation (NTEE T22), its primary mission is typically to make grants to other organizations.
How does the foundation manage its investments to sustain its grantmaking over time?
The foundation's assets have declined from $9.3 million in 2012 to $4.6 million in 2024, while expenses consistently exceed revenue. This suggests a strategy of spending down its endowment, rather than growing it, to fund its activities.
Who are the officers and how is the foundation managed without officer compensation?
The data indicates 0% officer compensation for all reported periods. This suggests that officers may be volunteers, or the foundation may outsource its management, but the specific individuals and management structure are not detailed in the provided financial summary.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2024), Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation's revenue has declined by 39.1%, moving from $392K to $238K. Total assets decreased by 50.2% over the same period, from $9.3M to $4.6M. Total functional expenses fell by 58.5%, from $1.0M to $420K. In its most recent filing year (2024), Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation reported a deficit of $182K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $4.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $4.6M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $238K | $420K | $4.6M | $1 | — | — |
| 2023 | $222K | $391K | $4.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $151K | $412K | $5.0M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $491K | $423K | $5.2M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $177K | $387K | $5.2M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $121K | $792K | $6.4M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $251K | $1.2M | $7.1M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $132K | $990K | $8.0M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $339K | $761K | $8.9M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $392K | $1.0M | $9.3M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2024: Revenue of $238K, expenses of $420K, and assets of $4.6M (revenue +7.2% year-over-year).
- 2023: Revenue of $222K, expenses of $391K, and assets of $4.8M (revenue +46.8% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $151K, expenses of $412K, and assets of $5.0M (revenue -69.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $491K, expenses of $423K, and assets of $5.2M (revenue +178.2% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $177K, expenses of $387K, and assets of $5.2M (revenue +46.4% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $121K, expenses of $792K, and assets of $6.4M (revenue -52.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $251K, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $7.1M (revenue +90.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $132K, expenses of $990K, and assets of $8.0M (revenue -61.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $339K, expenses of $761K, and assets of $8.9M (revenue -13.4% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $392K, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $9.3M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Michael And Helen Schaffer Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Michael And Helen Schaffer 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.