Sidley Austin Foundation
Sidley Austin Foundation maintains zero executive compensation amidst fluctuating revenues and consistent grantmaking.
EIN: 203980527 · Chicago, IL · NTEE: T20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Sidley Austin Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Sidley Austin Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Sidley Austin Foundation
Sidley Austin Foundation (EIN: 203980527) is a nonprofit organization based in Chicago, IL, classified under NTEE code T20. The organization reported total revenue of $4.7M and total assets of $7.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Sidley Austin 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 Sidley Austin 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: 10%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 0%
According to IRS 990 filings, Sidley Austin Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 0%. With 90% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no salaries are paid to officers, which is highly efficient for an organization of its size with assets in the millions.
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 Sidley Austin Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Highly fluctuating revenue streams, indicating potential reliance on unpredictable contributions.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Sidley Austin Foundation:
- Consistent 0% executive compensation, maximizing funds for mission.
- Low liabilities, often reported as $1 or $0, indicating strong financial health.
- Consistent IRS 990 filing history, demonstrating transparency.
- Significant asset base, even with fluctuations, supporting ongoing grantmaking.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sidley Austin Foundation
Is Sidley Austin Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sidley Austin Foundation (EIN: 203980527) some concerns. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Sidley Austin Foundation spend its money?
Sidley Austin Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Sidley Austin Foundation tax-deductible?
Sidley Austin Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 203980527). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Sidley Austin Foundation a good charity?
Based on the available data, the Sidley Austin Foundation appears to be a good charity. It consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency in directing funds towards its mission. Its consistent filing of 990s also suggests good transparency.
How does the foundation manage its expenses?
The foundation manages its expenses effectively by not incurring officer compensation costs. For example, in 2023, expenses were $4,254,437 against revenue of $4,904,634, showing responsible spending relative to income.
What is the trend in the foundation's assets?
The foundation's assets have fluctuated significantly, peaking at $16,851,507 in 2013 and declining to $6,279,684 in 2023. This trend suggests that the foundation is actively distributing its assets through grantmaking rather than accumulating them.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Sidley Austin Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Sidley Austin Foundation's revenue has declined by 19.8%, moving from $6.1M to $4.9M. Total assets decreased by 36.1% over the same period, from $9.8M to $6.3M. Total functional expenses rose by 37.4%, from $3.1M to $4.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Sidley Austin Foundation reported a surplus of $650K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $6.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $6.3M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $4.9M | $4.3M | $6.3M | $1 | — | — |
| 2022 | $48K | $2.9M | $5.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $217K | $5.0M | $9.2M | $1 | — | — |
| 2020 | $8.3M | $4.9M | $13.6M | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $4.2M | $3.7M | $10.0M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $3.2M | $4.3M | $11.6M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $205K | $4.3M | $12.8M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $7.2M | $3.0M | $16.9M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $6.2M | $3.2M | $12.8M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $6.1M | $3.1M | $9.8M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $4.9M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $6.3M (revenue +10097.4% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $48K, expenses of $2.9M, and assets of $5.7M (revenue -77.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $217K, expenses of $5.0M, and assets of $9.2M (revenue -97.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $8.3M, expenses of $4.9M, and assets of $13.6M (revenue +97.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $4.2M, expenses of $3.7M, and assets of $10.0M (revenue +32.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $3.2M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $11.6M (revenue +1446.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $205K, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $12.8M (revenue -97.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $7.2M, expenses of $3.0M, and assets of $16.9M (revenue +15.9% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $6.2M, expenses of $3.2M, and assets of $12.8M (revenue +1.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $6.1M, expenses of $3.1M, and assets of $9.8M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Sidley Austin 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.