Scherman Foundation Inc
Scherman Foundation maintains over $100M in assets, consistently funds operations with 0% reported officer compensation.
EIN: 136098464 · New York, NY · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $22.4M |
| Total Expenses | $9.6M |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $100 |
| Net Assets | $107.8M |
| Transparency Score | 92/100 |
Is Scherman Foundation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Scherman Foundation Inc directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Scherman Foundation Inc
Scherman Foundation Inc (EIN: 136098464) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY. The organization reported total revenue of $22.4M and total assets of $111.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Scherman Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Scherman Foundation Inc is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 83 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 0.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $8.8M |
| Total Expenses | $9.6M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-801,475 |
| Total Assets | $107.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $107.8M |
| Operating Margin | -9.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 134.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Scherman Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $801K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 134.4 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), Scherman Foundation Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +577.9% | +2.6% | -0.7% |
| 2022 | -91.5% | +22.7% | -6.9% |
| 2021 | +274.8% | +4.1% | +7.1% |
| 2020 | -29.1% | +5.9% | -2.9% |
| 2019 | +7.0% | -11.4% | +11.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1943 |
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 Scherman Foundation Inc 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: 8%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 2%
According to IRS 990 filings, Scherman Foundation Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 8%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 2%. 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 deficit of $801K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Scherman Foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that executive leadership is either unpaid or compensated through non-officer channels, which is highly favorable for a foundation of its size with over $100 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 Scherman Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant year-to-year revenue volatility, making financial planning potentially challenging.
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, which, while positive, is unusual for an organization of this asset size and could indicate compensation is reported elsewhere or through related entities.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Scherman Foundation Inc:
- Strong and stable asset base, consistently over $100 million, providing long-term financial security.
- Excellent transparency regarding officer compensation, consistently reporting 0%.
- Minimal liabilities across all reported periods, indicating a healthy balance sheet.
- Consistent IRS 990 filing history over a decade, demonstrating commitment to compliance and public disclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions about Scherman Foundation Inc
Is Scherman Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Scherman Foundation Inc (EIN: 136098464) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 92/100. It has 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $22.4M. 2 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Scherman Foundation Inc spend its money?
Scherman Foundation Inc directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 2%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Scherman Foundation Inc tax-deductible?
Scherman Foundation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 136098464). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Scherman Foundation Inc CEO make?
Scherman Foundation Inc's highest-compensated officer earns $100 annually. The organization reported $22.4M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Scherman Foundation Inc's spending goes to programs?
Scherman Foundation Inc directs 90% to programs, 2% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Scherman Foundation Inc located?
Scherman Foundation Inc is headquartered in New York, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 136098464.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Scherman Foundation Inc have?
Scherman 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 $22.4M in total revenue.
How does the Scherman Foundation sustain its operations when annual expenses often exceed annual revenue?
The Scherman Foundation sustains its operations by drawing from its substantial asset base, which has consistently been over $100 million. For example, in 2023, expenses were $9.6 million while revenue was $8.8 million, indicating a reliance on its endowment or investment returns to cover the deficit.
What is the primary source of the Scherman Foundation's revenue given its fluctuations?
While the specific breakdown isn't detailed, the significant fluctuations in revenue (e.g., $1.3M in 2022 vs. $15.3M in 2021) suggest a reliance on investment income, capital gains, or large, infrequent contributions rather than consistent program service revenue or public support.
Is the 0% officer compensation sustainable for a foundation of this size?
Reporting 0% officer compensation is highly unusual for an organization managing over $100 million in assets. While positive for transparency, it suggests that key leadership roles might be filled by volunteers, compensated through a related entity, or that compensation is categorized differently, which warrants further inquiry for a complete understanding.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Scherman Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Scherman Foundation Inc's revenue has grown by 2.8%, moving from $8.6M to $8.8M. Total assets increased by 19% over the same period, from $90.6M to $107.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 158.2%, from $3.7M to $9.6M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Scherman Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $801K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $107.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $107.8M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $8.8M | $9.6M | $107.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $1.3M | $9.4M | $108.6M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $15.4M | $7.6M | $116.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $4.1M | $7.3M | $109.0M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $5.8M | $6.9M | $112.2M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $5.4M | $7.8M | $100.7M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $10.2M | $7.1M | $103.1M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $3.2M | $5.6M | $93.9M | $5K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $9.4M | $3.7M | $96.3M | $2K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $8.6M | $3.7M | $90.6M | $2K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $8.8M, expenses of $9.6M, and assets of $107.8M (revenue +577.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $9.4M, and assets of $108.6M (revenue -91.5% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $15.4M, expenses of $7.6M, and assets of $116.7M (revenue +274.8% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $4.1M, expenses of $7.3M, and assets of $109.0M (revenue -29.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $5.8M, expenses of $6.9M, and assets of $112.2M (revenue +7.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $5.4M, expenses of $7.8M, and assets of $100.7M (revenue -47.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $10.2M, expenses of $7.1M, and assets of $103.1M (revenue +220.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $5.6M, and assets of $93.9M (revenue -66.0% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $9.4M, expenses of $3.7M, and assets of $96.3M (revenue +9.2% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $8.6M, expenses of $3.7M, and assets of $90.6M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Scherman Foundation Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Scherman 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.