Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation
Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation maintains stable assets while consistently spending more than its annual revenue.
EIN: 136161880 · Old Lyme, CT · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation
Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation (EIN: 136161880) is a nonprofit organization based in Old Lyme, CT. The organization reported total revenue of $321K and total assets of $967K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Nathan & Helen Kohler 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 Nathan & Helen Kohler 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: 15%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 0%
According to IRS 990 filings, Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 0%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that its leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, 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 Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent expenses exceeding revenue, leading to asset depletion over time (e.g., $37,329 revenue vs. $79,719 expenses in 2023).
- Lack of detailed program spending information in the provided summary data, making it difficult to fully assess program efficiency.
- Gradual decline in total assets over the past decade, from $1,157,150 in 2013 to $1,030,096 in 2023.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation:
- Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds for leadership.
- Very low liabilities consistently reported (often $1), suggesting strong financial management and minimal debt.
- Consistent filing of IRS Form 990, demonstrating good transparency and compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation
Is Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation (EIN: 136161880) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation spend its money?
Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation tax-deductible?
Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 136161880). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What specific programs or grants does the Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation support?
The provided data does not specify the programs or grants supported by the foundation. Further investigation into their public records or website would be necessary to understand their mission-related activities.
Why does the foundation consistently report expenses exceeding revenue?
The foundation consistently reports expenses exceeding revenue (e.g., $37,329 revenue vs. $79,719 expenses in 2023). This suggests it operates by drawing down its endowment or investment income, which is common for private foundations, rather than relying solely on annual contributions.
Is the gradual decline in assets a concern for the foundation's long-term viability?
The foundation's assets have gradually declined from $1,157,150 in 2013 to $1,030,096 in 2023. While not a drastic drop, this trend, coupled with expenses often exceeding revenue, indicates a slow depletion of its principal if not offset by investment gains or future contributions.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation showing financial trends over 9 years of public records:
Over 9 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation's revenue has declined by 38.6%, moving from $61K to $37K. Total assets increased by 2.1% over the same period, from $1.0M to $1.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 7.2%, from $74K to $80K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Nathan & Helen Kohler Foundation reported a deficit of $42K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $1.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $1.0M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $37K | $80K | $1.0M | $1 | — | — |
| 2021 | $40K | $71K | $1.1M | $1 | — | — |
| 2020 | $57K | $78K | $1.1M | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $82K | $78K | $1.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $69K | $75K | $1.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $58K | $75K | $1.1M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $203K | $85K | $1.2M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $106K | $76K | $1.0M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $61K | $74K | $1.0M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $37K, expenses of $80K, and assets of $1.0M (revenue -7.4% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $40K, expenses of $71K, and assets of $1.1M (revenue -28.8% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $57K, expenses of $78K, and assets of $1.1M (revenue -30.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $82K, expenses of $78K, and assets of $1.1M (revenue +18.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $69K, expenses of $75K, and assets of $1.1M (revenue +17.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $58K, expenses of $75K, and assets of $1.1M (revenue -71.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $203K, expenses of $85K, and assets of $1.2M (revenue +91.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $106K, expenses of $76K, and assets of $1.0M (revenue +74.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $61K, expenses of $74K, and assets of $1.0M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Nathan & Helen Kohler 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.