The Kestrel Foundation
The Kestrel Foundation consistently spends more than it earns, relying on substantial assets despite volatile revenue.
EIN: 134007198 · Washington, CT · NTEE: T20Z · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $4.0M |
| Total Expenses | $799K |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $13.8 |
| Net Assets | $13.9M |
| Transparency Score | 65/100 |
Is The Kestrel Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
The Kestrel Foundation directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About The Kestrel Foundation
The Kestrel Foundation (EIN: 134007198) is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, CT, classified under NTEE code T20Z. The organization reported total revenue of $4.0M and total assets of $13.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of The Kestrel Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
The Kestrel Foundation is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 28 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -5.6%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $241K |
| Total Expenses | $799K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-557,766 |
| Total Assets | $13.9M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $13.9M |
| Operating Margin | -231.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 208.2 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, The Kestrel Foundation reported a deficit of $558K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 208.2 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), The Kestrel Foundation's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.6%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +188.2% | +9.1% | +0.7% |
| 2022 | -98.9% | -36.1% | -4.5% |
| 2021 | +2890.9% | +56.9% | +66.9% |
| 2020 | -80.9% | -41.6% | -19.6% |
| 2019 | +41.9% | +242.0% | +10.4% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1998 |
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 Kestrel Foundation with a Mission Score of 65 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: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, The Kestrel Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $558K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Kestrel Foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that its leadership either serves on a volunteer basis or is compensated through non-officer roles, which is highly unusual for an organization of its asset size ($13.8 million in 2023).
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 Kestrel Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operational deficits (expenses exceeding revenue) in recent years, e.g., 2023 expenses of $798,654 against revenue of $240,888.
- Extreme revenue volatility, making financial planning and program consistency challenging.
- Lack of detailed expense breakdown to fully assess program vs. administrative spending efficiency.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for The Kestrel Foundation:
- Substantial and growing asset base ($13,855,671 in 2023), providing financial stability.
- Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating low executive overhead.
- Low liabilities across most filing periods, suggesting good financial management of debt.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Kestrel Foundation
Is The Kestrel Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Kestrel Foundation (EIN: 134007198) some concerns. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does The Kestrel Foundation spend its money?
The Kestrel Foundation directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to The Kestrel Foundation tax-deductible?
The Kestrel Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 134007198). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the The Kestrel Foundation CEO make?
The Kestrel Foundation's highest-compensated officer earns $13.8 annually. The organization reported $4.0M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of The Kestrel Foundation's spending goes to programs?
The Kestrel Foundation directs 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does The Kestrel Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 65/100 (Good), The Kestrel Foundation is above average for NTEE category T20Z nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is The Kestrel Foundation located?
The Kestrel Foundation is headquartered in Washington, Connecticut and files with the IRS under EIN 134007198. It is classified under NTEE code T20Z.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does The Kestrel Foundation have?
The Kestrel Foundation has 10 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 $4.0M in total revenue.
How does The Kestrel Foundation cover its expenses when revenue is consistently lower, such as in 2023 ($240,888 revenue vs. $798,654 expenses)?
The foundation likely covers these deficits by drawing from its substantial asset base, which grew from $3,012,601 in 2011 to $13,855,671 in 2023, or from prior year surpluses.
What is the nature of the '0% Officer Comp' reported across all filings?
This suggests that the organization's leadership may be entirely volunteer-based, or that compensation is structured in a way that it is not reported as 'officer compensation' on the IRS Form 990, which warrants further investigation for full transparency.
What causes the extreme volatility in The Kestrel Foundation's annual revenue, such as the drop from $7,320,183 in 2021 to $83,595 in 2022?
Such extreme fluctuations often indicate reliance on large, infrequent grants, major gifts, or investment gains that are not consistent year-to-year. Without more detailed financial statements, the exact cause is unclear.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for The Kestrel Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), The Kestrel Foundation's revenue has declined by 50.1%, moving from $483K to $241K. Total assets increased by 359.9% over the same period, from $3.0M to $13.9M. Total functional expenses rose by 319%, from $191K to $799K. In its most recent filing year (2023), The Kestrel Foundation reported a deficit of $558K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $13.9M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $13.9M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $241K | $799K | $13.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $84K | $732K | $13.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $7.3M | $1.1M | $14.4M | $23K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $245K | $730K | $8.6M | $17K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.3M | $1.2M | $10.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $904K | $365K | $9.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.3M | $437K | $9.1M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $3.9M | $135K | $7.2M | $864 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $653K | $222K | $3.4M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $483K | $191K | $3.0M | $1 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $241K, expenses of $799K, and assets of $13.9M (revenue +188.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $84K, expenses of $732K, and assets of $13.8M (revenue -98.9% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $7.3M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $14.4M (revenue +2890.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $245K, expenses of $730K, and assets of $8.6M (revenue -80.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $10.7M (revenue +41.9% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $904K, expenses of $365K, and assets of $9.7M (revenue -60.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $437K, and assets of $9.1M (revenue -41.0% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $3.9M, expenses of $135K, and assets of $7.2M (revenue +499.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $653K, expenses of $222K, and assets of $3.4M (revenue +35.3% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $483K, expenses of $191K, and assets of $3.0M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for The Kestrel Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for The Kestrel 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.