The Lu Foundation
The Lu Foundation maintains substantial assets and zero officer compensation amidst fluctuating revenues.
EIN: 204664674 · Denver, CO · NTEE: B82 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $401K |
| Total Expenses | $234K |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $4,012,388 |
| Net Assets | $3.9M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is The Lu Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
The Lu Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About The Lu Foundation
The Lu Foundation (EIN: 204664674) is a nonprofit organization based in Denver, CO, classified under NTEE code B82. The organization reported total revenue of $401K and total assets of $4.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of The Lu Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
The Lu Foundation is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 20 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -0.7%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $286K |
| Total Expenses | $234K |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$52K |
| Total Assets | $3.9M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $3.9M |
| Operating Margin | 18.3% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 200.1 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, The Lu Foundation reported a surplus of $52K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 200.1 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 Lu Foundation's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.7%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -61.5% | +9.7% | +1.4% |
| 2022 | +120.1% | +17.4% | +27.3% |
| 2021 | +71.7% | +1.0% | +5.5% |
| 2020 | +5.9% | +7.3% | +0.6% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2006 |
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 Lu Foundation with a Mission Score of 85 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 Lu 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 $52K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Lu Foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating a volunteer-led executive team or that compensation is covered by other means, which is highly unusual for an organization of its asset size ($4,012,388).
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 Lu Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Highly volatile revenue streams, making future income less predictable.
- Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data, limiting granular spending efficiency analysis.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for The Lu Foundation:
- Consistent asset growth, from $1.7M in 2011 to $4M currently, indicating strong financial management.
- Extremely low liabilities ($1 reported consistently), demonstrating fiscal responsibility and minimal debt.
- 0% officer compensation reported across all filings, suggesting highly efficient use of funds for non-executive purposes.
- Expenses consistently well below revenue in most recent years (e.g., 2023: $233,604 expenses vs. $285,926 revenue), allowing for asset accumulation.
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (10 filings), indicating consistent compliance and transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Lu Foundation
Is The Lu Foundation a legitimate charity?
The Lu Foundation (EIN: 204664674) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Colorado. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 85/100. It has 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $401K. 2 red flags identified. 5 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does The Lu Foundation spend its money?
The Lu Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to The Lu Foundation tax-deductible?
The Lu Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 204664674). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the The Lu Foundation CEO make?
The Lu Foundation's highest-compensated officer earns $4,012,388 annually. The organization reported $401K in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of The Lu Foundation's spending goes to programs?
The Lu Foundation directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does The Lu Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), The Lu Foundation is above average for NTEE category B82 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is The Lu Foundation located?
The Lu Foundation is headquartered in Denver, Colorado and files with the IRS under EIN 204664674. It is classified under NTEE code B82.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does The Lu Foundation have?
The Lu 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 $401K in total revenue.
How does The Lu Foundation manage to operate with 0% officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests that the organization's leadership may be entirely volunteer-based, or that executive salaries are funded through a separate entity or mechanism not reflected in these filings. This is a significant factor in its financial efficiency.
What is the primary source of The Lu Foundation's revenue given its volatility?
Revenue has been highly volatile, ranging from a negative $90,494 in 2015 to over $1.9 million in 2013. This suggests that the foundation may rely on a mix of investment returns, large infrequent donations, or specific project-based funding rather than consistent annual contributions.
What are the specific programs or activities The Lu Foundation funds?
The provided data does not detail the specific programs or activities. The NTEE code B82 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations) suggests it is a grantmaking entity, but further information would be needed to understand its direct impact.
How does The Lu Foundation manage to grow its assets consistently despite revenue fluctuations?
The consistent growth in assets, from $1.7 million in 2011 to over $4 million currently, despite revenue volatility, indicates strong investment management and a strategy focused on endowment building or long-term asset appreciation, with expenses generally kept below revenue.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for The Lu Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), The Lu Foundation's revenue has declined by 8.3%, moving from $312K to $286K. Total assets increased by 124.4% over the same period, from $1.7M to $3.9M. Total functional expenses rose by 195.9%, from $79K to $234K. In its most recent filing year (2023), The Lu Foundation reported a surplus of $52K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $3.9M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $3.9M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $286K | $234K | $3.9M | $1 | — | — |
| 2022 | $743K | $213K | $3.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $337K | $181K | $3.0M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $197K | $180K | $2.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $186K | $167K | $2.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $-90,494 | $176K | $3.2M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $9K | $116K | $3.4M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.9M | $93K | $3.5M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $34K | $79K | $1.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $312K | $79K | $1.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $286K, expenses of $234K, and assets of $3.9M (revenue -61.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $743K, expenses of $213K, and assets of $3.8M (revenue +120.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $337K, expenses of $181K, and assets of $3.0M (revenue +71.7% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $197K, expenses of $180K, and assets of $2.9M (revenue +5.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $186K, expenses of $167K, and assets of $2.8M.
- 2015: Revenue of $-90,494, expenses of $176K, and assets of $3.2M (revenue -1145.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $9K, expenses of $116K, and assets of $3.4M (revenue -99.5% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $93K, and assets of $3.5M (revenue +5497.8% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $34K, expenses of $79K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue -89.1% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $312K, expenses of $79K, and assets of $1.7M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for The Lu Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for The Lu 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.