Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc
Sylvan C Herman Foundation consistently grows assets and maintains strong financial surpluses with zero officer compensation.
EIN: 203265230 · Washington, DC · NTEE: T22 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc
Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc (EIN: 203265230) is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, classified under NTEE code T22. The organization reported total revenue of $35.1M and total assets of $87.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc is a large 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 8.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $16.8M |
| Total Expenses | $9.0M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$7.8M |
| Total Assets | $80.6M |
| Total Liabilities | $42K |
| Net Assets | $80.6M |
| Operating Margin | 46.2% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 107.1 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc reported a surplus of $7.8M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 107.1 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.1% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +38.3% | +6.5% | +34.2% |
| 2022 | +19.1% | +60.6% | +6.6% |
| 2021 | +52.9% | -10.2% | +8.1% |
| 2020 | -8.1% | -16.1% | +2.6% |
| 2019 | -16.7% | +154.5% | +18.2% |
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 Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc with a Mission Score of 95 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, Sylvan C Herman 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 surplus of $7.8M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that the foundation's leadership is either unpaid or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which is a notable characteristic for an organization of its size with assets exceeding $80 million.
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 Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Lack of detailed breakdown on program vs. administrative expenses in provided data (assumed high program spending for a foundation)
- No information on specific grant recipients or program impact within the provided summary
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc:
- Consistent and significant asset growth (from $24.8M in 2011 to $80.5M in 2023)
- Healthy revenue surpluses over expenses in most periods (e.g., $16.7M revenue vs. $9.0M expenses in 2023)
- Zero reported officer compensation across all filings
- Strong financial stability and capacity for future grantmaking
- Low liabilities relative to assets (e.g., $42,150 liabilities vs. $80,593,727 assets in 2023)
Frequently Asked Questions about Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc
Is Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc (EIN: 203265230) some concerns. Mission Score: 95/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc spend its money?
Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc tax-deductible?
Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 203265230). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc. a good charity?
Based on the provided financial data, the Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc. appears to be a very well-managed and financially sound organization. It consistently generates significant revenue surpluses, has substantial and growing assets ($80,593,727 in 2023), and reports 0% officer compensation, suggesting a strong commitment to its mission and efficient use of funds.
How has the foundation's asset base grown over time?
The foundation's assets have shown remarkable growth, increasing from $24,854,530 in 2011 to $80,593,727 in 2023, demonstrating strong financial stewardship and investment performance.
What is the trend in revenue versus expenses?
The foundation consistently generates more revenue than it expends. For example, in 2023, revenue was $16,784,726 against expenses of $9,029,298, indicating a healthy operating surplus that contributes to asset growth.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc's revenue has grown by 155.7%, moving from $6.6M to $16.8M. Total assets increased by 224.3% over the same period, from $24.9M to $80.6M. Total functional expenses rose by 741.1%, from $1.1M to $9.0M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc reported a surplus of $7.8M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $42K in liabilities against $80.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.1%), resulting in net assets of $80.6M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $16.8M | $9.0M | $80.6M | $42K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $12.1M | $8.5M | $60.0M | $39K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $10.2M | $5.3M | $56.3M | $38K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $6.7M | $5.9M | $52.1M | $35K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $7.2M | $7.0M | $50.8M | $48K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $8.7M | $2.8M | $43.0M | $26K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $5.2M | $2.4M | $37.0M | $25K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $7.8M | $1.9M | $34.2M | $17K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $4.9M | $1.5M | $28.3M | $15K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $6.6M | $1.1M | $24.9M | $5K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $16.8M, expenses of $9.0M, and assets of $80.6M (revenue +38.3% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $12.1M, expenses of $8.5M, and assets of $60.0M (revenue +19.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $10.2M, expenses of $5.3M, and assets of $56.3M (revenue +52.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $6.7M, expenses of $5.9M, and assets of $52.1M (revenue -8.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $7.2M, expenses of $7.0M, and assets of $50.8M (revenue -16.7% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $8.7M, expenses of $2.8M, and assets of $43.0M (revenue +67.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $5.2M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $37.0M (revenue -33.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $7.8M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $34.2M (revenue +57.9% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $4.9M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $28.3M (revenue -24.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $6.6M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $24.9M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Sylvan C Herman 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.