The 85 Fund
The 85 Fund experiences significant revenue growth but recent expenses slightly exceed income, with no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 202466871 · Fort Worth, TX · NTEE: I01 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is The 85 Fund Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
The 85 Fund directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About The 85 Fund
The 85 Fund (EIN: 202466871) is a nonprofit organization based in Fort Worth, TX, classified under NTEE code I01. The organization reported total revenue of $168.5M and total assets of $2.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of The 85 Fund's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
The 85 Fund is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 15 years, with 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 51.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $143.1M |
| Total Expenses | $145.4M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-2,333,583 |
| Total Assets | $3.9M |
| Net Assets | $3.9M |
| Operating Margin | -1.6% |
| Months of Reserves | 0.3 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, The 85 Fund reported a deficit of $2.3M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 0.3 months of operating reserves (limited).
Financial Trends
Over 12 years of filings (2012–2023), The 85 Fund's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 51.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +6.2% | +4.7% | -37.6% |
| 2022 | +14.9% | +22.2% | -39.6% |
| 2021 | +78.4% | +90.1% | +56.9% |
| 2020 | +387.3% | +358.4% | +1142.2% |
| 2019 | +72.2% | +64.0% | +738.4% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2011 |
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 The 85 Fund with a Mission Score of 75 out of 100 (Good). 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: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, The 85 Fund allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% 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 $2.3M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The 85 Fund consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is unusual for an organization with revenues exceeding $100 million. This could indicate pro-bono leadership or compensation structured in a way not reported as officer compensation, which limits transparency regarding leadership costs relative to the organization's substantial 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 The 85 Fund's IRS 990 filings:
- Lack of transparency regarding officer compensation despite substantial revenue.
- Recent trend of expenses slightly exceeding revenue (e.g., 2022 and 2023 filings).
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for The 85 Fund:
- Consistent reporting of zero liabilities, indicating strong financial stability and no debt.
- Significant revenue growth over the past decade, demonstrating strong fundraising capacity.
- Substantial assets, even after recent declines, providing a financial cushion.
Frequently Asked Questions about The 85 Fund
Is The 85 Fund a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The 85 Fund (EIN: 202466871) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does The 85 Fund spend its money?
The 85 Fund directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to The 85 Fund tax-deductible?
The 85 Fund is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 202466871). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How does The 85 Fund manage to operate with zero reported officer compensation given its large revenue?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, despite revenues exceeding $100 million, suggests that executive leadership may be unpaid volunteers, compensated through a related entity, or receive benefits not categorized as direct officer compensation. This practice, while potentially reducing overhead, also reduces transparency regarding the true cost of leadership.
What is the detailed breakdown of The 85 Fund's expenses (program, administrative, fundraising)?
The provided data does not offer a detailed functional expense breakdown. To fully assess spending efficiency, it would be crucial to see the percentages allocated to program services, administrative overhead, and fundraising activities. Without this, the assumed spending breakdown is an estimate.
Why have The 85 Fund's assets decreased from $10.2 million in 2021 to $3.8 million in 2023?
The decrease in assets from $10,278,564 in 2021 to $3,879,307 in 2023 coincides with periods where expenses slightly exceeded revenue (e.g., 2022 and 2023). This suggests the organization may have been drawing down its reserves to cover operational costs or fund specific initiatives during these periods.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for The 85 Fund showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:
Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2023), The 85 Fund's revenue has grown by 9280.3%, moving from $1.5M to $143.1M. Total assets increased by 1671.3% over the same period, from $219K to $3.9M. Total functional expenses rose by 11029.9%, from $1.3M to $145.4M. In its most recent filing year (2023), The 85 Fund reported a deficit of $2.3M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $143.1M | $145.4M | $3.9M | $0 | — | — |
| 2022 | $134.8M | $138.8M | $6.2M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $117.3M | $113.6M | $10.3M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $65.8M | $59.8M | $6.6M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $13.5M | $13.0M | $527K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $7.8M | $7.9M | $63K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $9.5M | $11.5M | $172K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $12.4M | $10.2M | $2.2M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $11.3M | $11.5M | $61K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $9.1M | $9.4M | $216K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $2.5M | $2.2M | $492K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.5M | $1.3M | $219K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $143.1M, expenses of $145.4M, and assets of $3.9M (revenue +6.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $134.8M, expenses of $138.8M, and assets of $6.2M (revenue +14.9% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $117.3M, expenses of $113.6M, and assets of $10.3M (revenue +78.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $65.8M, expenses of $59.8M, and assets of $6.6M (revenue +387.3% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $13.5M, expenses of $13.0M, and assets of $527K (revenue +72.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $7.8M, expenses of $7.9M, and assets of $63K (revenue -17.2% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $9.5M, expenses of $11.5M, and assets of $172K (revenue -23.5% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $12.4M, expenses of $10.2M, and assets of $2.2M (revenue +9.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $11.3M, expenses of $11.5M, and assets of $61K (revenue +24.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $9.1M, expenses of $9.4M, and assets of $216K (revenue +260.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $2.5M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $492K (revenue +65.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $219K.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for The 85 Fund 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.