Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc
Ruth M Knight Foundation maintains strong assets despite recent deficit spending.
EIN: 136093663 · Columbia, MD · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $715K |
| Total Expenses | $177K |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $2 |
| Net Assets | $2.0M |
| Transparency Score | 65/100 |
Is Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc
Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc (EIN: 136093663) is a nonprofit organization based in Columbia, MD. The organization reported total revenue of $715K and total assets of $2.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 68 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 1.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $112K |
| Total Expenses | $177K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-64,568 |
| Total Assets | $2.0M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $2.0M |
| Operating Margin | -57.6% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 133.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $65K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 133.6 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -32.0% | -8.2% | -3.2% |
| 2022 | -38.1% | +16.6% | -1.3% |
| 2021 | +28.2% | +5.4% | +5.2% |
| 2020 | +75.6% | -0.4% | +2.7% |
| 2019 | -40.4% | +14.6% | +7.7% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1958 |
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 Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc with a Mission Score of 65 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: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $65K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc. consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that executive leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated through non-officer roles, which is unusual for an organization with nearly $2 million in assets.
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 Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent deficit spending in recent years (e.g., 2023 expenses $176,666 vs. revenue $112,098)
- Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data
- Absence of NTEE code, making it difficult to understand core mission and impact
- Unclear executive compensation structure given 0% reported officer compensation for an organization with significant assets
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc:
- Strong and growing asset base, reaching $1,966,471 in 2023
- Consistent IRS 990 filing history (10 filings)
- Minimal liabilities reported across all periods ($1 in recent years)
- No reported officer compensation, potentially indicating a highly efficient or volunteer-driven leadership
Frequently Asked Questions about Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc
Is Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc (EIN: 136093663) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Maryland. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 65/100. It has 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $715K. 4 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc spend its money?
Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This meets the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc tax-deductible?
Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 136093663). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc CEO make?
Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc's highest-compensated officer earns $2 annually. The organization reported $715K in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc's spending goes to programs?
Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc directs 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc located?
Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland and files with the IRS under EIN 136093663.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc have?
Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc has 10 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 $715K in total revenue.
What is the specific mission and program focus of the Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc.?
The provided data does not specify the NTEE code or detailed program descriptions, making it difficult to ascertain the specific mission and program focus of the organization.
Why has the organization consistently reported expenses exceeding revenue in recent years?
In 2023, expenses were $176,666 against $112,098 in revenue, and in 2022, expenses were $192,352 against $164,733 in revenue. This trend suggests the organization is drawing down on its assets or relying on prior period surpluses to cover current operations.
How are the organization's expenses allocated between program, administrative, and fundraising activities?
The provided IRS 990 data only includes total expenses, not a detailed breakdown, which limits the ability to assess spending efficiency across different categories.
Is the lack of reported officer compensation indicative of a fully volunteer-run executive team?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings strongly suggests a volunteer executive team, or that compensation is categorized differently, which would require further investigation for full transparency.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc's revenue has grown by 19.4%, moving from $94K to $112K. Total assets increased by 18% over the same period, from $1.7M to $2.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 138.1%, from $74K to $177K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $65K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $2.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $2.0M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $112K | $177K | $2.0M | $1 | — | — |
| 2022 | $165K | $192K | $2.0M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $266K | $165K | $2.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $208K | $156K | $2.0M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $118K | $157K | $1.9M | $1 | — | — |
| 2015 | $198K | $137K | $1.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $132K | $102K | $1.7M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $87K | $90K | $1.7M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $84K | $68K | $1.7M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $94K | $74K | $1.7M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $112K, expenses of $177K, and assets of $2.0M (revenue -32.0% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $165K, expenses of $192K, and assets of $2.0M (revenue -38.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $266K, expenses of $165K, and assets of $2.1M (revenue +28.2% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $208K, expenses of $156K, and assets of $2.0M (revenue +75.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $118K, expenses of $157K, and assets of $1.9M (revenue -40.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $198K, expenses of $137K, and assets of $1.8M (revenue +50.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $132K, expenses of $102K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue +51.4% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $87K, expenses of $90K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue +3.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $84K, expenses of $68K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue -10.2% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $94K, expenses of $74K, and assets of $1.7M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Ruth M Knight 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.