Salem Foundation
Salem Foundation shows significant asset growth and no reported officer compensation across all filings.
EIN: 137196668 · Boston, MA · NTEE: T21 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $48.4M |
| Total Expenses | $2.3M |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $48.4 |
| Net Assets | $50.9M |
| Transparency Score | 92/100 |
Is Salem Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Salem Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Salem Foundation
Salem Foundation (EIN: 137196668) is a nonprofit organization based in Boston, MA, classified under NTEE code T21. The organization reported total revenue of $48.4M and total assets of $72.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Salem Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Salem Foundation is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 26 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 50.8%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $16.5M |
| Total Expenses | $2.3M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$14.1M |
| Total Assets | $50.9M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $50.9M |
| Operating Margin | 85.7% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 260.0 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Salem Foundation reported a surplus of $14.1M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 260.0 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), Salem Foundation's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 50.8%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +12.9% | -58.0% | +20.6% |
| 2022 | -60.3% | +0.2% | +16.3% |
| 2021 | +119.1% | -18.4% | +135.8% |
| 2020 | +86.9% | +0.2% | +42.5% |
| 2019 | +32.9% | +229.9% | -6.8% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2000 |
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 Salem Foundation with a Mission Score of 92 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: 5%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Salem Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 5%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 5%. 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 surplus of $14.1M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that officers are not compensated directly from the organization's funds, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size with $48.4 million in latest revenue and $72.1 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 Salem Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Lack of detailed program spending breakdown in summary data (requires deeper 990 analysis)
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Salem Foundation:
- Exceptional asset growth from $2.5M (2011) to $72.1M (current)
- Consistently low liabilities (often $1) indicating strong financial stability
- 0% officer compensation reported across all filings, suggesting high efficiency or volunteer leadership
- Significant revenue growth, with latest revenue at $48.4M
- Consistent IRS 990 filing history demonstrating transparency
Frequently Asked Questions about Salem Foundation
Is Salem Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Salem Foundation (EIN: 137196668) some concerns. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Salem Foundation spend its money?
Salem Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Salem Foundation tax-deductible?
Salem Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 137196668). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Salem Foundation CEO make?
Salem Foundation's highest-compensated officer earns $48.4 annually. The organization reported $48.4M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Salem Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Salem Foundation directs 90% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Salem Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 92/100 (Excellent), Salem Foundation is above average for NTEE category T21 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Salem Foundation located?
Salem Foundation is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and files with the IRS under EIN 137196668. It is classified under NTEE code T21.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Salem Foundation have?
Salem Foundation 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 $48.4M in total revenue.
Is Salem Foundation a good charity?
Based on the provided financial data, Salem Foundation appears to be a very good charity. It demonstrates exceptional financial health with significant asset growth, minimal liabilities, and a remarkable 0% officer compensation across all filings, suggesting high efficiency and a strong commitment to its mission.
How has Salem Foundation's financial health changed over time?
Salem Foundation's financial health has dramatically improved over time. Its assets grew from $2.5 million in 2011 to $72.1 million currently, and revenue has seen substantial increases, reaching $48.4 million in the latest period, indicating robust growth and stability.
What is the significance of 0% officer compensation?
The 0% officer compensation across all filings is highly significant. It suggests that the organization's leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not reported as officer compensation on the 990, which can be a strong indicator of dedication and efficient use of funds for the mission.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Salem Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Salem Foundation's revenue has grown by 13761.1%, moving from $119K to $16.5M. Total assets increased by 1906.5% over the same period, from $2.5M to $50.9M. Total functional expenses rose by 104.7%, from $1.1M to $2.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Salem Foundation reported a surplus of $14.1M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $50.9M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $50.9M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $16.5M | $2.3M | $50.9M | $1 | — | — |
| 2022 | $14.6M | $5.6M | $42.2M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $36.7M | $5.6M | $36.3M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $16.7M | $6.8M | $15.4M | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $9.0M | $6.8M | $10.8M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $6.7M | $2.1M | $11.6M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $4.1M | $2.9M | $11.3M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $6.3M | $516K | $10.1M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $3.2M | $1.4M | $4.3M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $119K | $1.1M | $2.5M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $16.5M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $50.9M (revenue +12.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $14.6M, expenses of $5.6M, and assets of $42.2M (revenue -60.3% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $36.7M, expenses of $5.6M, and assets of $36.3M (revenue +119.1% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $16.7M, expenses of $6.8M, and assets of $15.4M (revenue +86.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $9.0M, expenses of $6.8M, and assets of $10.8M (revenue +32.9% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $6.7M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $11.6M (revenue +65.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $4.1M, expenses of $2.9M, and assets of $11.3M (revenue -35.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $6.3M, expenses of $516K, and assets of $10.1M (revenue +96.8% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $4.3M (revenue +2586.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $119K, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $2.5M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Salem Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Salem 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.