Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc
Ralph C Sheldon Foundation maintains strong assets and low liabilities, with recent expenses exceeding revenue.
EIN: 166030502 · Jamestown, NY · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $2.7M |
| Total Expenses | $3.3M |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| Net Assets | $11.2M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc
Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc (EIN: 166030502) is a nonprofit organization based in Jamestown, NY. The organization reported total revenue of $2.7M and total assets of $11.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 76 years, with 9 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 0.8%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $2.4M |
| Total Expenses | $3.3M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-965,102 |
| Total Assets | $11.2M |
| Total Liabilities | $2 |
| Net Assets | $11.2M |
| Operating Margin | -40.9% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 40.5 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $965K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 40.5 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 9 years of filings (2012–2023), Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.8%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -18.6% | +28.1% | -7.9% |
| 2022 | -13.0% | +4.1% | +2.5% |
| 2021 | +30.3% | +12.6% | +7.5% |
| 2020 | +4.2% | +7.2% | +3.2% |
| 2019 | +13.4% | -20.9% | +2.2% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1950 |
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 Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc 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: 9%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 1%
According to IRS 990 filings, Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 9%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 1%. 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 $965K, 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 its leadership either volunteers their time or is compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, 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 Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Expenses exceeded revenue in the most recent 2023 filing ($3,326,532 vs. $2,361,430), which could indicate a draw on reserves if not a planned distribution.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc:
- Consistently strong asset base, exceeding $10 million in all reported periods, indicating financial stability.
- Extremely low liabilities across all filings (e.g., $2 in 2023), demonstrating excellent financial health and minimal debt.
- Zero reported officer compensation in all available filings, suggesting highly efficient use of funds at the executive level.
- Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over nine periods, indicating good transparency and regulatory compliance.
- As a grant-making foundation, its primary 'program' activity is direct funding to other nonprofits, which is a highly effective way to achieve charitable impact.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc
Is Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc (EIN: 166030502) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc spend its money?
Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc tax-deductible?
Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 166030502). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc's spending goes to programs?
Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc directs 90% to programs, 1% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc located?
Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc is headquartered in Jamestown, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 166030502.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc have?
Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc has 9 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 $2.7M in total revenue.
Is Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc a good charity?
Based on its strong asset base ($11,155,022), consistently low liabilities, and zero reported officer compensation, the foundation appears to be a well-managed entity. Its primary function as a grant-making foundation means its 'program spending' is typically direct grants to other organizations, which is a highly efficient form of charitable giving. The consistent filing of 990s also indicates transparency.
What caused the expense increase in 2023?
In 2023, expenses were $3,326,532, significantly higher than the $2,361,430 in revenue. Without a detailed 990 breakdown, it's likely this increase was due to a larger distribution of grants or a significant investment in program-related activities, potentially drawing from its substantial asset reserves.
How does the foundation sustain itself with varying revenues?
The foundation sustains itself through its substantial asset base, which consistently exceeds $10 million. Investment returns from these assets likely provide a significant portion of its annual revenue, allowing it to continue its grant-making activities even when annual contributions fluctuate.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 9 years of public records:
Over 9 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2023), Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc's revenue has grown by 9.5%, moving from $2.2M to $2.4M. Total assets increased by 10.6% over the same period, from $10.2M to $11.2M. Total functional expenses rose by 43.8%, from $2.3M to $3.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $965K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $2 in liabilities against $11.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $11.2M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.4M | $3.3M | $11.2M | $2 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $2.9M | $2.6M | $12.2M | $10 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $3.3M | $2.5M | $11.9M | $5K | — | — |
| 2020 | $2.6M | $2.2M | $11.1M | $5K | — | — |
| 2019 | $2.5M | $2.1M | $10.7M | $4K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $2.2M | $2.6M | $10.5M | $3K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $3.4M | $2.7M | $10.9M | $4K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $2.5M | $2.3M | $10.3M | $4K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $2.2M | $2.3M | $10.2M | $4K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $2.4M, expenses of $3.3M, and assets of $11.2M (revenue -18.6% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $2.9M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $12.2M (revenue -13.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $3.3M, expenses of $2.5M, and assets of $11.9M (revenue +30.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $11.1M (revenue +4.2% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $10.7M (revenue +13.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $10.5M (revenue -35.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $3.4M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $10.9M (revenue +36.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $10.3M (revenue +14.5% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $10.2M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc 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.