Sam L Cohen Foundation
Sam L Cohen Foundation consistently operates with zero officer compensation, drawing down assets to fund grants.
EIN: 202262822 · Portland, ME · NTEE: T20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $7.2M |
| Total Expenses | $3.1M |
| Program Spending | 95% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $28,191,741 |
| Net Assets | $27.6M |
| Transparency Score | 90/100 |
Is Sam L Cohen Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Sam L Cohen Foundation directs 95% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Sam L Cohen Foundation
Sam L Cohen Foundation (EIN: 202262822) is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, ME, classified under NTEE code T20. The organization reported total revenue of $7.2M and total assets of $28.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Sam L Cohen Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Sam L Cohen Foundation is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 21 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 2.3%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $2.9M |
| Total Expenses | $3.1M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-174,980 |
| Total Assets | $27.6M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $27.6M |
| Operating Margin | -6.0% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 107.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Sam L Cohen Foundation reported a deficit of $175K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 107.6 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), Sam L Cohen Foundation's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.3%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +45.6% | -35.1% | -0.6% |
| 2022 | -49.8% | +5.5% | -9.0% |
| 2021 | +42.3% | +37.9% | -1.7% |
| 2020 | +40.0% | +9.8% | -1.5% |
| 2019 | -32.8% | +13.6% | -1.3% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2005 |
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 Sam L Cohen Foundation with a Mission Score of 90 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: 95%
- fundraising: 0%
According to IRS 990 filings, Sam L Cohen Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 5%, programs: 95%, fundraising: 0%. With 95% 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 deficit of $175K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Sam L Cohen Foundation reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries are paid to executives, which is highly unusual for an organization of its asset size ($28,191,741). This suggests a volunteer-led or externally managed structure, significantly enhancing its financial efficiency.
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 Sam L Cohen Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent asset decline over the past decade, from $32.7M in 2011 to $27.5M in 2023, indicating spending exceeds revenue in many periods.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Sam L Cohen Foundation:
- Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating high efficiency and direct mission focus.
- Minimal liabilities ($1) consistently reported, demonstrating strong financial stability and no debt burden.
- Substantial asset base ($28,191,741) provides a strong foundation for ongoing philanthropic activities.
- Consistent filing history over a decade, demonstrating transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sam L Cohen Foundation
Is Sam L Cohen Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sam L Cohen Foundation (EIN: 202262822) some concerns. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Sam L Cohen Foundation spend its money?
Sam L Cohen Foundation directs 95% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Sam L Cohen Foundation tax-deductible?
Sam L Cohen Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 202262822). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Sam L Cohen Foundation CEO make?
Sam L Cohen Foundation's highest-compensated officer earns $28,191,741 annually. The organization reported $7.2M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
How does Sam L Cohen Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 90/100 (Excellent), Sam L Cohen Foundation is above average for NTEE category T20 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Sam L Cohen Foundation located?
Sam L Cohen Foundation is headquartered in Portland, Maine and files with the IRS under EIN 202262822. It is classified under NTEE code T20.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Sam L Cohen Foundation have?
Sam L Cohen 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 $7.2M in total revenue.
How does the Sam L Cohen Foundation manage its operations without officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of $0 officer compensation suggests that the foundation may be entirely volunteer-run at the executive level, or that its administrative functions are handled by an external entity or through other non-compensated means. This is a significant indicator of efficiency.
What is the long-term strategy for asset management given the consistent decline?
The foundation's assets have gradually decreased from $32,725,919 in 2011 to $27,561,144 in 2023. This trend, coupled with expenses often exceeding revenue, suggests a strategy of spending down its endowment to fulfill its mission. Understanding the planned rate and duration of this spend-down would provide further insight.
What specific types of programs or grants does the foundation support?
As a private grantmaking foundation (NTEE T20), the primary 'program' is the distribution of grants. While the data doesn't specify the beneficiaries, understanding the focus areas of these grants would provide a clearer picture of its impact.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Sam L Cohen Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Sam L Cohen Foundation's revenue has grown by 30.7%, moving from $2.2M to $2.9M. Total assets decreased by 15.8% over the same period, from $32.7M to $27.6M. Total functional expenses rose by 33.5%, from $2.3M to $3.1M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Sam L Cohen Foundation reported a deficit of $175K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $27.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $27.6M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.9M | $3.1M | $27.6M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $2.0M | $4.7M | $27.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $4.0M | $4.5M | $30.5M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.8M | $3.3M | $31.0M | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $2.0M | $3.0M | $31.5M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $3.0M | $2.6M | $31.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.2M | $2.7M | $31.5M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $2.3M | $2.6M | $32.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $2.0M | $2.3M | $32.3M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $2.2M | $2.3M | $32.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $2.9M, expenses of $3.1M, and assets of $27.6M (revenue +45.6% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $4.7M, and assets of $27.7M (revenue -49.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $4.0M, expenses of $4.5M, and assets of $30.5M (revenue +42.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.8M, expenses of $3.3M, and assets of $31.0M (revenue +40.0% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $3.0M, and assets of $31.5M (revenue -32.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $3.0M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $31.9M (revenue +37.3% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $2.7M, and assets of $31.5M (revenue -7.0% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $2.6M, and assets of $32.1M (revenue +18.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $32.3M (revenue -11.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $32.7M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Sam L Cohen Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Sam L Cohen 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.