Smart Drive Foundation
Smart Drive Foundation faces significant financial decline with revenue dropping over 80% in five years and consistent operating deficits.
EIN: 208818548 · Wilmington, DE · NTEE: B80 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Smart Drive Foundation Legit?
Significant Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Smart Drive Foundation directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Smart Drive Foundation
Smart Drive Foundation (EIN: 208818548) is a nonprofit organization based in Wilmington, DE, classified under NTEE code B80. The organization reported total revenue of $92K and total assets of $31K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Smart Drive Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Smart Drive Foundation is a micro nonprofit that has been operating for 19 years, with 9 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2020). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -18.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2020)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $92K |
| Total Expenses | $96K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-4,150 |
| Total Assets | $31K |
| Total Liabilities | $15K |
| Net Assets | $15K |
| Operating Margin | -4.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 50.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 3.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2020, Smart Drive Foundation reported a deficit of $4K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 3.8 months of operating reserves (adequate), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 50.1% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 9 years of filings (2012–2020), Smart Drive Foundation's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -18.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | -17.0% | -23.8% | -12.0% |
| 2019 | -31.0% | -16.6% | -30.6% |
| 2018 | -54.1% | -53.8% | +22.5% |
| 2017 | -6.9% | -22.3% | +332.6% |
| 2016 | -27.5% | -16.4% | -80.9% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1200 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2007 |
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 Smart Drive Foundation with a Mission Score of 45 out of 100 (Fair). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 15%
- programs: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Smart Drive Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2020)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $4K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 50.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation has consistently been reported as 0% across all nine filings, indicating that the organization's leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated through non-officer roles, which is highly efficient for an organization of its size.
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 Smart Drive Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Dramatic decline in revenue from $515,843 in 2015 to $91,614 in 2020 (over 80% drop).
- Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., $15,316 deficit in 2019, $4,150 deficit in 2020).
- Weakening financial position with declining assets and persistent liabilities.
- Lack of detailed expense breakdown in provided data makes full spending efficiency assessment difficult.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Smart Drive Foundation:
- Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating highly efficient executive overhead.
- Long filing history (9 filings) suggests a commitment to transparency, despite financial challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions about Smart Drive Foundation
Is Smart Drive Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Smart Drive Foundation (EIN: 208818548) significant concerns. Mission Score: 45/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
How does Smart Drive Foundation spend its money?
Smart Drive Foundation directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Smart Drive Foundation tax-deductible?
Smart Drive Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 208818548). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Smart Drive Foundation a good charity?
While the organization shows strong efficiency in executive compensation (0% reported), its financial stability is a major concern due to a sharp decline in revenue from $515,843 in 2015 to $91,614 in 2020, and consistent operating deficits in recent years. This raises questions about its long-term viability and ability to deliver on its mission.
Why has Smart Drive Foundation's revenue declined so sharply?
The IRS 990 data shows a dramatic decrease in revenue from $515,843 in 2015 to $91,614 in 2020. The filings themselves do not provide reasons for this decline, but it suggests significant challenges in fundraising, grant acquisition, or a reduction in program scope.
Is Smart Drive Foundation financially stable?
No, the organization does not appear financially stable. It has experienced operating deficits in 2019 (expenses $125,641 vs. revenue $110,325) and 2020 (expenses $95,764 vs. revenue $91,614), and its assets ($30,511 in 2020) are only twice its liabilities ($15,283), which is a weak position given the ongoing deficits.
What is the trend in Smart Drive Foundation's assets and liabilities?
Assets have fluctuated but show a recent decline from $49,978 in 2018 to $30,511 in 2020. Liabilities have remained constant at $15,283 for the last three periods, which, when combined with decreasing assets, indicates a worsening balance sheet position.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Smart Drive Foundation showing financial trends over 9 years of public records:
Over 9 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2020), Smart Drive Foundation's revenue has declined by 80%, moving from $458K to $92K. Total assets increased by 209.4% over the same period, from $10K to $31K. Total functional expenses fell by 79.3%, from $463K to $96K. In its most recent filing year (2020), Smart Drive Foundation reported a deficit of $4K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $15K in liabilities against $31K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 50.1%), resulting in net assets of $15K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $92K | $96K | $31K | $15K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $110K | $126K | $35K | $15K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $160K | $151K | $50K | $15K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $348K | $326K | $41K | $15K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $374K | $420K | $9K | $6K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $516K | $502K | $49K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $489K | $479K | $37K | $875 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $415K | $398K | $28K | $1K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $458K | $463K | $10K | $1K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2020: Revenue of $92K, expenses of $96K, and assets of $31K (revenue -17.0% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $110K, expenses of $126K, and assets of $35K (revenue -31.0% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $160K, expenses of $151K, and assets of $50K (revenue -54.1% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $348K, expenses of $326K, and assets of $41K (revenue -6.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $374K, expenses of $420K, and assets of $9K (revenue -27.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $516K, expenses of $502K, and assets of $49K (revenue +5.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $489K, expenses of $479K, and assets of $37K (revenue +17.7% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $415K, expenses of $398K, and assets of $28K (revenue -9.4% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $458K, expenses of $463K, and assets of $10K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Smart Drive Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Smart Drive 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.