People For The American Way Foundation
People For The American Way Foundation shows fluctuating revenues and expenses, with recent deficit spending and no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 133065716 · Washington, DC · NTEE: R600 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $9.5M |
| Total Expenses | $5.0M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Net Assets | $7.3M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is People For The American Way Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
People For The American Way Foundation directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About People For The American Way Foundation
People For The American Way Foundation (EIN: 133065716) is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, classified under NTEE code R600. The organization reported total revenue of $9.5M and total assets of $9.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of People For The American Way Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
People For The American Way Foundation is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 45 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -8.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $3.7M |
| Total Expenses | $5.0M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-1,259,482 |
| Total Assets | $9.3M |
| Total Liabilities | $2.0M |
| Net Assets | $7.3M |
| Operating Margin | -33.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 22.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 22.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, People For The American Way Foundation reported a deficit of $1.3M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 22.4 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 22.0% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), People For The American Way Foundation's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -34.9% | -14.6% | -12.4% |
| 2022 | +17.0% | +21.9% | -8.5% |
| 2021 | -20.0% | -33.5% | -1.8% |
| 2020 | +13.5% | +29.2% | -1.9% |
| 2019 | -9.2% | -6.4% | +7.3% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1981 |
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 People For The American Way 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: 10%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, People For The American Way Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 10%. With 80% 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 $1.3M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 22.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers received compensation from the organization, which is highly unusual for an organization with annual revenues in the millions and suggests a strong commitment to minimizing overhead in this area.
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 People For The American Way Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Recurring periods of expenses exceeding revenue, notably in 202309 ($1.2M deficit), 202209, and 202012, which could strain reserves if persistent.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for People For The American Way Foundation:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating high transparency and dedication of funds to mission.
- Relatively stable asset base, generally between $9 million and $12 million, providing a financial cushion.
- Long operational history with 13 filings, suggesting organizational stability and experience.
Frequently Asked Questions about People For The American Way Foundation
Is People For The American Way Foundation a legitimate charity?
People For The American Way Foundation (EIN: 133065716) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Washington DC. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 85/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $9.5M. 1 red flag identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does People For The American Way Foundation spend its money?
People For The American Way Foundation directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to People For The American Way Foundation tax-deductible?
People For The American Way Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 133065716). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of People For The American Way Foundation's spending goes to programs?
People For The American Way Foundation directs 80% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does People For The American Way Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), People For The American Way Foundation is above average for NTEE category R600 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is People For The American Way Foundation located?
People For The American Way Foundation is headquartered in Washington, Washington DC and files with the IRS under EIN 133065716. It is classified under NTEE code R600.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does People For The American Way Foundation have?
People For The American Way Foundation has 13 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 $9.5M in total revenue.
Is People For The American Way Foundation a good charity?
The organization exhibits strong financial transparency regarding executive compensation (0% reported). While it has experienced periods of deficit spending, its asset base remains relatively stable. The overall assessment would depend on a deeper dive into its program effectiveness and specific spending allocations beyond the high-level 990 data.
What is the trend in the organization's financial health?
The organization's financial health shows fluctuations. While assets have been relatively stable, there's a recurring pattern of expenses exceeding revenue in several recent years (e.g., 202309, 202209, 202012), which could be a concern if not addressed.
How does their spending compare to similar nonprofits?
Without specific data on program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the 990, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the 0% officer compensation is exceptionally low compared to most nonprofits of similar size, suggesting very efficient use of funds in that specific area.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for People For The American Way Foundation showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), People For The American Way Foundation's revenue has declined by 66.2%, moving from $11.0M to $3.7M. Total assets increased by 5.9% over the same period, from $8.8M to $9.3M. Total functional expenses fell by 8.5%, from $5.5M to $5.0M. In its most recent filing year (2023), People For The American Way Foundation reported a deficit of $1.3M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $2.0M in liabilities against $9.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 22.0%), resulting in net assets of $7.3M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.7M | $5.0M | $9.3M | $2.0M | — | — |
| 2022 | $5.7M | $5.8M | $10.6M | $2.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $4.9M | $4.8M | $11.6M | $1.7M | — | — |
| 2020 | $6.1M | $7.2M | $11.9M | $2.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $5.4M | $5.6M | $12.1M | $1.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $5.9M | $6.0M | $11.3M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $7.4M | $5.2M | $12.8M | $1.7M | — | — |
| 2016 | $4.2M | $4.9M | $9.6M | $1.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $5.1M | $4.9M | $9.5M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $5.0M | $5.1M | $9.8M | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $5.1M | $5.1M | $9.0M | $886K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $5.7M | $5.9M | $9.3M | $1.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $11.0M | $5.5M | $8.8M | $1.1M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $3.7M, expenses of $5.0M, and assets of $9.3M (revenue -34.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $5.7M, expenses of $5.8M, and assets of $10.6M (revenue +17.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $4.9M, expenses of $4.8M, and assets of $11.6M (revenue -20.0% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $6.1M, expenses of $7.2M, and assets of $11.9M (revenue +13.5% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $5.4M, expenses of $5.6M, and assets of $12.1M (revenue -9.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $5.9M, expenses of $6.0M, and assets of $11.3M (revenue -20.2% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $7.4M, expenses of $5.2M, and assets of $12.8M (revenue +76.0% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $4.2M, expenses of $4.9M, and assets of $9.6M (revenue -17.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $5.1M, expenses of $4.9M, and assets of $9.5M (revenue +1.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $5.0M, expenses of $5.1M, and assets of $9.8M (revenue -1.7% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $5.1M, expenses of $5.1M, and assets of $9.0M (revenue -9.6% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $5.7M, expenses of $5.9M, and assets of $9.3M (revenue -48.7% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $11.0M, expenses of $5.5M, and assets of $8.8M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for People For The American Way Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for People For The American Way 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.