Templeton Foundation
Templeton Foundation consistently maintains a healthy financial surplus with no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 133317084 · Cooperstown, NY · NTEE: E120 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $7.1M |
| Total Expenses | $6.9M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $7 |
| Net Assets | $29.3M |
| Transparency Score | 88/100 |
Is Templeton Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Templeton Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Templeton Foundation
Templeton Foundation (EIN: 133317084) is a nonprofit organization based in Cooperstown, NY, classified under NTEE code E120. The organization reported total revenue of $7.1M and total assets of $48.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Templeton Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Templeton Foundation is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 37 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 1.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $7.3M |
| Total Expenses | $6.9M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$394K |
| Total Assets | $47.9M |
| Total Liabilities | $18.6M |
| Net Assets | $29.3M |
| Operating Margin | 5.4% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 38.8% |
| Months of Reserves | 82.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Templeton Foundation reported a surplus of $394K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 82.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 38.8% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Templeton Foundation's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +1.5% | +15.3% | -2.8% |
| 2022 | +0.2% | +17.5% | +3.1% |
| 2021 | +2.3% | -17.5% | +2.9% |
| 2020 | -3.2% | -8.6% | +1.7% |
| 2019 | +11.2% | +2.5% | -0.2% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1989 |
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 Templeton Foundation with a Mission Score of 88 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: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Templeton Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% 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 $394K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 38.8%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization with annual revenues exceeding $7 million and assets nearing $50 million. This suggests either a volunteer leadership structure or that compensation is structured in a way that is not reported as officer compensation on the 990, which could impact full transparency.
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 Templeton Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Unusual 0% reported officer compensation for an organization of this size, potentially obscuring full compensation picture.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Templeton Foundation:
- Consistent financial surplus, indicating sound financial management (e.g., $7,319,049 revenue vs. $6,925,320 expenses in 2023).
- Stable and substantial asset base (e.g., $47,856,540 in 2023) providing long-term financial security.
- Decreasing trend in liabilities over the past decade, improving financial leverage.
- Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating regulatory transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Templeton Foundation
Is Templeton Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Templeton Foundation (EIN: 133317084) some concerns. Mission Score: 88/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Templeton Foundation spend its money?
Templeton Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Templeton Foundation tax-deductible?
Templeton Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 133317084). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Templeton Foundation CEO make?
Templeton Foundation's highest-compensated officer earns $7 annually. The organization reported $7.1M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Templeton Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Templeton Foundation directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Templeton Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 88/100 (Excellent), Templeton Foundation is above average for NTEE category E120 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Templeton Foundation located?
Templeton Foundation is headquartered in Cooperstown, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 133317084. It is classified under NTEE code E120.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Templeton Foundation have?
Templeton Foundation has 13 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 $7.1M in total revenue.
Is Templeton Foundation a good charity?
Based on the available financial data, Templeton Foundation appears to be a financially sound organization with consistent revenue, healthy assets, and a history of operating with a surplus. The lack of reported officer compensation is a notable point, potentially indicating high efficiency or an alternative compensation structure. Without detailed program spending ratios, a definitive 'good' is hard to quantify, but their financial stability is strong.
How does Templeton Foundation manage its executive compensation?
The IRS 990 filings consistently report 0% for officer compensation. This is highly unusual for an organization of its size and suggests that either the leadership is entirely volunteer-based, or compensation is provided through other means not categorized as 'officer compensation' on the 990 form.
What is the trend in Templeton Foundation's assets and liabilities?
The Foundation's assets have remained robust and relatively stable, fluctuating between $45 million and $52 million over the past decade, currently at $47,856,540 as of 2023. Liabilities have shown a general decreasing trend from a high of $29,802,322 in 2015 to $18,591,234 in 2023, indicating improved financial leverage and reduced debt burden.
Is Templeton Foundation financially stable?
Yes, Templeton Foundation demonstrates strong financial stability. It consistently generates more revenue than expenses, maintaining a healthy surplus (e.g., $7,319,049 revenue vs. $6,925,320 expenses in 2023). Its substantial asset base of nearly $48 million further solidifies its financial health.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Templeton Foundation showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Templeton Foundation's revenue has grown by 22%, moving from $6.0M to $7.3M. Total assets increased by 17.5% over the same period, from $40.7M to $47.9M. Total functional expenses rose by 34.3%, from $5.2M to $6.9M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Templeton Foundation reported a surplus of $394K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $18.6M in liabilities against $47.9M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 38.8%), resulting in net assets of $29.3M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $7.3M | $6.9M | $47.9M | $18.6M | — | — |
| 2022 | $7.2M | $6.0M | $49.2M | $20.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $7.2M | $5.1M | $47.8M | $22.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $7.0M | $6.2M | $46.4M | $24.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $7.3M | $6.8M | $45.6M | $23.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $6.5M | $6.6M | $45.7M | $22.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $7.2M | $6.7M | $47.6M | $23.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $7.2M | $6.4M | $49.5M | $26.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $7.9M | $5.6M | $52.6M | $29.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $6.1M | $5.6M | $47.1M | $26.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $6.3M | $5.3M | $45.7M | $25.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $6.4M | $5.0M | $41.4M | $22.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $6.0M | $5.2M | $40.7M | $23.7M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $7.3M, expenses of $6.9M, and assets of $47.9M (revenue +1.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $7.2M, expenses of $6.0M, and assets of $49.2M (revenue +0.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $7.2M, expenses of $5.1M, and assets of $47.8M (revenue +2.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $7.0M, expenses of $6.2M, and assets of $46.4M (revenue -3.2% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $7.3M, expenses of $6.8M, and assets of $45.6M (revenue +11.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $6.5M, expenses of $6.6M, and assets of $45.7M (revenue -9.6% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $7.2M, expenses of $6.7M, and assets of $47.6M (revenue +0.2% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $7.2M, expenses of $6.4M, and assets of $49.5M (revenue -9.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $7.9M, expenses of $5.6M, and assets of $52.6M (revenue +30.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $6.1M, expenses of $5.6M, and assets of $47.1M (revenue -2.7% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $6.3M, expenses of $5.3M, and assets of $45.7M (revenue -1.8% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $6.4M, expenses of $5.0M, and assets of $41.4M (revenue +6.3% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $6.0M, expenses of $5.2M, and assets of $40.7M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Templeton Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Templeton 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.