Ream Foundation

Ream Foundation experiences significant financial volatility, with 2023 expenses far exceeding revenue.

EIN: 205905128 · Buffalo Grove, IL · NTEE: T22 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$3.3MRevenue

$6.5MAssets

70/100Mission Score (Good)

T22

About Ream Foundation

Ream Foundation (EIN: 205905128) is a nonprofit organization based in Buffalo Grove, IL, classified under NTEE code T22. The organization reported total revenue of $3.3M and total assets of $6.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Ream Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Ream Foundation exhibits inconsistent financial performance over the past decade, with significant fluctuations in revenue and expenses. For instance, revenue peaked at $23,397,789 in 2021 but dropped sharply to $87,900 in 2023, while expenses in 2023 were $3,462,990, far exceeding revenue. This indicates a reliance on prior year assets or other funding sources to cover operational costs in some periods. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a positive indicator of resource allocation directly to the mission rather than executive salaries. However, the substantial deficit in 2023, where expenses were nearly 40 times revenue, raises questions about long-term financial sustainability if such trends continue.

While the lack of officer compensation suggests good intent regarding resource allocation, the dramatic swings in revenue and the significant deficit in the latest filing period (2023) warrant closer scrutiny. The organization's assets have also seen considerable fluctuation, peaking at $13,432,709 in 2021 and decreasing to $9,312,504 by 2023. This volatility makes it challenging to assess consistent financial health and spending efficiency without more detailed program expense breakdowns, which are not provided in the summary data. The NTEE code T22 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations) suggests its primary activity is grantmaking, which typically involves distributing funds to other organizations.

Given the provided data, a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses is not available, making a precise assessment of spending efficiency difficult. However, the consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a strong point for transparency regarding executive pay. The overall financial picture is one of high variability, with periods of substantial revenue and asset growth followed by significant declines and operational deficits, particularly in the most recent year.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Ream Foundation with a Mission Score of 70 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: 80%
fundraising: 5%

According to IRS 990 filings, Ream Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

The Ream Foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no funds are allocated to executive salaries, which is a strong positive 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 Ream Foundation's IRS 990 filings:

Significant revenue volatility, with a sharp decline from $23,397,789 in 2021 to $87,900 in 2023.
Substantial operational deficit in 2023, where expenses ($3,462,990) were nearly 40 times revenue ($87,900).
Decreasing assets from $13,432,709 in 2021 to $9,312,504 in 2023, potentially due to covering operational deficits.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Ream Foundation:

Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for mission-related activities rather than executive salaries.
Historically maintained significant asset levels, providing a buffer for periods of low revenue.
Demonstrated capacity for large-scale fundraising or endowment growth, as evidenced by the $23,397,789 revenue in 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ream Foundation

Why did the Ream Foundation's revenue drop from $23,397,789 in 2021 to $87,900 in 2023?

The provided data does not specify the reasons for this drastic revenue decline, but it is a significant financial event that would typically warrant further investigation into funding sources and operational changes.

How did the Ream Foundation cover expenses of $3,462,990 in 2023 with only $87,900 in revenue?

The organization likely utilized its accumulated assets, which were $12,604,898 in 2022 and $9,312,504 in 2023, to cover the significant deficit in the 2023 fiscal year.

What are the specific program activities funded by the Ream Foundation?

The NTEE code T22 indicates the organization is a Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundation. Without more detailed filings, specific program activities or grant recipients are not discernible from the provided summary data.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Ream Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:

Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Ream Foundation's revenue has declined by 87%, moving from $675K to $88K. Total assets increased by 226.6% over the same period, from $2.9M to $9.3M. Total functional expenses rose by 642.8%, from $466K to $3.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Ream Foundation reported a deficit of $3.4M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $9.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $9.3M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$88K	$3.5M	$9.3M	$1	—	—
2022	$2.4M	$2.4M	$12.6M	$203	—	View 990
2021	$23.4M	$4.2M	$13.4M	$1	—	View 990
2020	$1.8M	$2.7M	$5.7M	$1	—	View 990
2019	$1.0M	$1.8M	$6.6M	$0	—	View 990
2015	$5.3M	$758K	$7.9M	$0	—	View 990
2014	$581K	$664K	$3.3M	$582	—	View 990
2013	$817K	$541K	$3.9M	$516K	—	View 990
2012	$656K	$436K	$3.1M	$0	—	View 990
2011	$675K	$466K	$2.9M	$0	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $88K, expenses of $3.5M, and assets of $9.3M (revenue -96.3% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $2.4M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $12.6M (revenue -89.7% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $23.4M, expenses of $4.2M, and assets of $13.4M (revenue +1195.3% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $5.7M (revenue +80.5% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $6.6M (revenue -81.3% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $5.3M, expenses of $758K, and assets of $7.9M (revenue +821.0% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $581K, expenses of $664K, and assets of $3.3M (revenue -28.9% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $817K, expenses of $541K, and assets of $3.9M (revenue +24.7% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $656K, expenses of $436K, and assets of $3.1M (revenue -2.8% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $675K, expenses of $466K, and assets of $2.9M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Ream 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.