Robert K Johnson Foundation
Robert K Johnson Foundation shows volatile revenue and expenses, with significant asset growth and no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 206981384 · Saint Louis, MO · NTEE: T22 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Robert K Johnson Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Robert K Johnson Foundation directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Robert K Johnson Foundation
Robert K Johnson Foundation (EIN: 206981384) is a nonprofit organization based in Saint Louis, MO, classified under NTEE code T22. The organization reported total revenue of $37.5M and total assets of $89.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Robert K Johnson 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 Robert K Johnson 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, Robert K Johnson 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 organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is unusual for an organization of its size and asset base ($100,167,867 in 2023), suggesting either a fully volunteer leadership or that compensation is reported under other expense categories.
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 K Johnson Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Extreme revenue volatility (e.g., $112M in 2021 vs. $-10K in 2020)
- Expenses exceeded revenue in 2023 ($29,813,409 expenses vs. $19,288,917 revenue)
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is unusual for an organization of this size and could indicate a lack of transparency in reporting leadership costs.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Robert K Johnson Foundation:
- Significant long-term asset growth (from $4.7M in 2011 to $100.1M in 2023)
- Generally low liabilities, indicating a healthy balance sheet
- NTEE code T22 suggests a focus on grantmaking, aligning with philanthropic mission.
Frequently Asked Questions about Robert K Johnson Foundation
Is Robert K Johnson Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Robert K Johnson Foundation (EIN: 206981384) some concerns. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Robert K Johnson Foundation spend its money?
Robert K Johnson Foundation directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Robert K Johnson Foundation tax-deductible?
Robert K Johnson Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 206981384). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Why is officer compensation consistently reported as 0%?
The IRS 990 filings for the Robert K Johnson Foundation consistently show 0% officer compensation. This could mean that the foundation is entirely run by unpaid volunteers, or that executive compensation is reported under different expense categories, which would require further investigation to clarify.
What caused the significant revenue fluctuation, particularly the $112M in 2021 and the negative revenue in 2020?
The foundation experienced extreme revenue volatility, with a peak of $112,203,189 in 2021 and a negative revenue of $-10,028 in 2020. This could be due to large, infrequent donations, investment gains/losses, or specific grant cycles. Understanding the source of these fluctuations is key to assessing financial predictability.
What led to expenses exceeding revenue in 2023?
In 2023, the foundation's expenses ($29,813,409) significantly exceeded its revenue ($19,288,917), resulting in a deficit for the year. This could indicate a strategic spending down of assets, a year of unusually high program activity, or a temporary financial challenge that warrants further review of the specific expense categories.
How does the foundation ensure its long-term financial sustainability given the revenue volatility?
Despite revenue volatility, the foundation has shown strong asset growth, from $4,739,619 in 2011 to $100,167,867 in 2023. This substantial asset base likely provides a buffer against revenue fluctuations and supports long-term sustainability, but the reliance on investment returns or large, infrequent donations needs to be understood.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Robert K Johnson Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Robert K Johnson Foundation's revenue has grown by 37896.5%, moving from $51K to $19.3M. Total assets increased by 2013.4% over the same period, from $4.7M to $100.2M. Total functional expenses rose by 14703.7%, from $201K to $29.8M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Robert K Johnson Foundation reported a deficit of $10.5M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $352K in liabilities against $100.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.4%), resulting in net assets of $99.8M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $19.3M | $29.8M | $100.2M | $352K | — | — |
| 2022 | $12.1M | $6.5M | $110.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $112.2M | $1.8M | $105.4M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $-10,028 | $659K | $10.0M | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $2.7M | $627K | $10.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $533K | $424K | $7.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $3.4M | $246K | $7.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $97K | $193K | $4.6M | $85K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $110K | $199K | $4.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $51K | $201K | $4.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $19.3M, expenses of $29.8M, and assets of $100.2M (revenue +58.8% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $12.1M, expenses of $6.5M, and assets of $110.7M (revenue -89.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $112.2M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $105.4M.
- 2020: Revenue of $-10,028, expenses of $659K, and assets of $10.0M (revenue -100.4% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $627K, and assets of $10.7M (revenue +403.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $533K, expenses of $424K, and assets of $7.8M (revenue -84.3% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $3.4M, expenses of $246K, and assets of $7.7M (revenue +3379.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $97K, expenses of $193K, and assets of $4.6M (revenue -11.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $110K, expenses of $199K, and assets of $4.7M (revenue +116.1% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $51K, expenses of $201K, and assets of $4.7M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Robert K Johnson 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.