Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc
Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc. consistently spends more than it earns, relying on substantial assets.
EIN: 204356942 · Scottsdale, AZ · NTEE: T20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc
Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc (EIN: 204356942) is a nonprofit organization based in Scottsdale, AZ, classified under NTEE code T20. The organization reported total revenue of $4.9M and total assets of $8.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc'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 Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc 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: 10%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 0%
According to IRS 990 filings, Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc 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.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that the organization's officers are not compensated, which is highly unusual for an organization with assets exceeding $4 million.
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 Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent negative net income (expenses exceeding revenue) in recent years, such as $403,628 in expenses vs. $168,214 in revenue in 202312.
- Negative revenue reported in 202212 ($-82,273), which is unusual and could indicate significant investment losses or accounting adjustments.
- Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided summary data, limiting full financial transparency.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc:
- Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating a highly volunteer-driven or uncompensated leadership structure.
- Substantial asset base, with $4,878,968 in 202312, providing financial stability despite operational deficits.
- Consistent filing history (10 filings), demonstrating adherence to IRS reporting requirements.
- Extremely low liabilities, consistently reported as $1 in recent years, indicating a very healthy balance sheet in terms of debt.
Frequently Asked Questions about Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc
Is Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc (EIN: 204356942) some concerns. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc spend its money?
Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc tax-deductible?
Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 204356942). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc. a good charity?
Based on the provided data, the foundation appears to operate as a private grant-making entity rather than a public charity. Its consistent zero officer compensation and substantial assets suggest a focus on its mission without significant overhead for executive salaries. However, without detailed program spending information, it's hard to fully assess its direct impact.
Why does the foundation consistently have negative net income?
The foundation has consistently reported expenses exceeding revenue in recent years (e.g., 202312: Revenue=$168,214, Expenses=$403,628; 202212: Revenue=$-82,273, Expenses=$386,493). This suggests it is spending down its principal or relying on investment gains not fully captured in 'revenue' or experiencing market fluctuations affecting its asset base, which is common for endowed foundations.
What is the nature of the 'Liabilities=$1' reported in recent years?
The consistent reporting of 'Liabilities=$1' from 201912 to 202312 is highly unusual and suggests a nominal or placeholder value rather than actual significant liabilities. This could indicate a very low-debt operation or a specific accounting practice for private foundations.
How does the foundation sustain itself with negative revenue in 202212?
The negative revenue of $-82,273 in 202212, alongside expenses of $386,493, indicates that the foundation likely drew heavily from its existing assets or experienced significant investment losses that year. Its substantial asset base of $4,916,118 in 202212 allowed it to cover expenses despite the revenue shortfall.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc's revenue has grown by 1502%, moving from $11K to $168K. Total assets increased by 571207.7% over the same period, from $854 to $4.9M. Total functional expenses rose by 2547.3%, from $15K to $404K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Robert D Fisher Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $235K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $4.9M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $4.9M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $168K | $404K | $4.9M | $1 | — | — |
| 2022 | $-82,273 | $386K | $4.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $259K | $374K | $5.4M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $142K | $367K | $5.5M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $42K | $304K | $5.7M | $1 | — | — |
| 2015 | $41K | $37K | $4K | $3K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $0 | $451 | $-117 | $3K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $10K | $10K | $334 | $3K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1K | $2K | $650 | $3K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $11K | $15K | $854 | $3K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $168K, expenses of $404K, and assets of $4.9M.
- 2022: Revenue of $-82,273, expenses of $386K, and assets of $4.9M (revenue -131.7% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $259K, expenses of $374K, and assets of $5.4M (revenue +83.1% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $142K, expenses of $367K, and assets of $5.5M (revenue +237.4% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $42K, expenses of $304K, and assets of $5.7M (revenue +3.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $41K, expenses of $37K, and assets of $4K.
- 2014: Revenue of $0, expenses of $451, and assets of $-117 (revenue -100.0% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $10K, expenses of $10K, and assets of $334 (revenue +577.7% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1K, expenses of $2K, and assets of $650 (revenue -86.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $11K, expenses of $15K, and assets of $854.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Robert D Fisher 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.