The Freecycle Network

The Freecycle Network consistently grows assets with no reported executive compensation.

EIN: 200938414 · Tucson, AZ · NTEE: C99 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$427KRevenue

$1.2MAssets

92/100Mission Score (Excellent)

C99

About The Freecycle Network

The Freecycle Network (EIN: 200938414) is a nonprofit organization based in Tucson, AZ, classified under NTEE code C99. The organization reported total revenue of $427K and total assets of $1.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of The Freecycle Network's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Freecycle Network demonstrates consistent financial health, with assets steadily growing over the past decade, reaching $1,178,888 in the latest filing. The organization has consistently maintained a positive net income in most years, notably in 202406 where revenue of $413,591 significantly exceeded expenses of $267,490. This indicates effective financial management and a capacity to build reserves.

Spending efficiency appears strong, particularly given the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting a volunteer-driven or very lean executive structure. While a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't provided in the summary data, the overall financial picture suggests a focus on mission given the lack of executive compensation. The organization's liabilities have remained relatively low compared to its assets, indicating good fiscal responsibility.

Transparency is high regarding executive compensation, as the 0% reported officer compensation is a clear indicator. Further transparency would be enhanced by a more detailed breakdown of functional expenses (program, admin, fundraising) in publicly available summaries, but the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 14 periods demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance and public disclosure.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates The Freecycle Network with a Mission Score of 92 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, The Freecycle Network 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.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating a highly efficient, likely volunteer-led, or extremely lean executive structure for an organization with over $1 million in assets.

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.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for The Freecycle Network:

Consistent asset growth, reaching $1,178,888 currently.
0% reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency.
Revenue generally exceeds expenses, leading to healthy surpluses (e.g., $413,591 revenue vs. $267,490 expenses in 202406).
Low liabilities relative to assets, demonstrating strong financial management.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (14 periods), indicating transparency and compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Freecycle Network

Is The Freecycle Network a good charity?

Based on the provided financial data, The Freecycle Network appears to be a very good charity. It consistently grows its assets, maintains low liabilities, and reports 0% officer compensation, suggesting a strong focus on its mission and efficient use of funds.

How has The Freecycle Network's financial health changed over time?

The organization's financial health has steadily improved. Assets have grown from $587,708 in 201506 to $1,178,888 currently, and revenue has generally outpaced expenses, allowing for consistent asset accumulation.

What is the trend in The Freecycle Network's revenue and expenses?

Revenue and expenses fluctuate year-to-year, but revenue has generally been sufficient to cover expenses and contribute to asset growth. For example, in 202406, revenue was $413,591 against expenses of $267,490, showing a healthy surplus.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for The Freecycle Network showing financial trends over 14 years of public records:

Over 14 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2024), The Freecycle Network's revenue has grown by 90.3%, moving from $217K to $414K. Total assets increased by 567.4% over the same period, from $156K to $1.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 39.8%, from $191K to $267K. In its most recent filing year (2024), The Freecycle Network reported a surplus of $146K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $18K in liabilities against $1.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 1.7%), resulting in net assets of $1.0M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2024	$414K	$267K	$1.0M	$18K	—	—
2023	$297K	$370K	$892K	$9K	—	View 990
2022	$248K	$226K	$957K	$183	—	View 990
2021	$357K	$267K	$960K	$26K	—	View 990
2020	$424K	$287K	$898K	$54K	—	View 990
2019	$287K	$331K	$724K	$17K	—	View 990
2018	$375K	$367K	$760K	$10K	—	—
2017	$295K	$261K	$754K	$12K	—	View 990
2016	$381K	$250K	$716K	$12K	—	View 990
2015	$324K	$245K	$588K	$14K	—	View 990
2014	$390K	$197K	$495K	$473	—	View 990
2013	$250K	$171K	$302K	$1K	—	View 990
2012	$315K	$246K	$223K	$324	—	View 990
2011	$217K	$191K	$156K	$3K	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2024: Revenue of $414K, expenses of $267K, and assets of $1.0M (revenue +39.4% year-over-year).
2023: Revenue of $297K, expenses of $370K, and assets of $892K (revenue +19.5% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $248K, expenses of $226K, and assets of $957K (revenue -30.4% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $357K, expenses of $267K, and assets of $960K (revenue -15.8% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $424K, expenses of $287K, and assets of $898K (revenue +47.6% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $287K, expenses of $331K, and assets of $724K (revenue -23.5% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $375K, expenses of $367K, and assets of $760K (revenue +27.2% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $295K, expenses of $261K, and assets of $754K (revenue -22.6% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $381K, expenses of $250K, and assets of $716K (revenue +17.6% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $324K, expenses of $245K, and assets of $588K (revenue -16.9% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $390K, expenses of $197K, and assets of $495K (revenue +56.2% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $250K, expenses of $171K, and assets of $302K (revenue -20.7% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $315K, expenses of $246K, and assets of $223K (revenue +44.9% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $217K, expenses of $191K, and assets of $156K.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for The Freecycle Network 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.