The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc
Mason Hirst Foundation consistently spends more than it earns, drawing down assets.
EIN: 208050841 · Alexandria, VA · NTEE: T22 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $663K |
| Total Expenses | $338K |
| Program Spending | 75% |
| Net Assets | $5.5M |
| Transparency Score | 55/100 |
Is The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc
The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc (EIN: 208050841) is a nonprofit organization based in Alexandria, VA, classified under NTEE code T22. The organization reported total revenue of $663K and total assets of $6.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 19 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 37.8%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $96K |
| Total Expenses | $338K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-242,173 |
| Total Assets | $5.5M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $5.5M |
| Operating Margin | -253.4% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 197.1 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $242K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 197.1 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 Mason Hirst Foundation Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37.8%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +6.0% | +3.8% | +12.2% |
| 2022 | +25.2% | -4.4% | -18.6% |
| 2021 | +87.9% | +5.5% | +1.0% |
| 2020 | -68.8% | +1.3% | -4.5% |
| 2019 | +14077.2% | -21.9% | -15.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2007 |
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 Mason Hirst Foundation Inc with a Mission Score of 55 out of 100 (Fair). 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: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% 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 $242K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries are paid to its officers, which is a strong positive for resource allocation directly to the mission.
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 Mason Hirst Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent and significant operating deficits (expenses far exceeding revenue) for over a decade.
- Steady decline in total assets over time, indicating reliance on endowment draw-down.
- Low revenue generation relative to the scale of expenses.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc:
- Zero officer compensation reported, indicating efficient use of funds regarding executive pay.
- Minimal liabilities reported across all filing periods, suggesting good debt management.
- Substantial asset base provides a buffer, despite the ongoing draw-down.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc
Is The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc (EIN: 208050841) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Virginia. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 55/100. It has 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $663K. 3 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc spend its money?
The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc tax-deductible?
The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 208050841). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc's spending goes to programs?
The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc directs 75% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 55/100 (Fair), The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc is near average for NTEE category T22 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc located?
The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia and files with the IRS under EIN 208050841. It is classified under NTEE code T22.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc have?
The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc 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 $663K in total revenue.
How does The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc. sustain its operations with such a large and consistent revenue deficit?
The foundation appears to be sustaining its operations by drawing down its significant asset base, which has decreased from over $9 million in 2011 to approximately $5.5 million in 2023.
What are the primary categories of expenses for the foundation, given its low revenue and high expenses?
Without a detailed breakdown of expenses in the provided data, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact categories. However, the consistent high expense levels suggest significant operational costs beyond what revenue can cover.
Is the decline in assets a planned strategy or a symptom of financial distress?
The consistent decline in assets over more than a decade, coupled with persistent operating deficits, suggests that the asset draw-down is likely a necessity to cover expenses rather than a planned strategic divestment.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc's revenue has grown by 4568.2%, moving from $2K to $96K. Total assets decreased by 39.8% over the same period, from $9.2M to $5.5M. Total functional expenses fell by 32.5%, from $501K to $338K. In its most recent filing year (2023), The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc reported a deficit of $242K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $5.5M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $5.5M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $96K | $338K | $5.5M | $1 | — | — |
| 2022 | $90K | $325K | $4.9M | $1 | — | — |
| 2021 | $72K | $340K | $6.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $38K | $322K | $6.0M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $123K | $318K | $6.3M | $1 | — | — |
| 2015 | $867 | $407K | $7.5M | $25 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $731 | $430K | $7.9M | $25 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $843 | $452K | $8.3M | $25 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $914 | $478K | $8.7M | $25 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $2K | $501K | $9.2M | $25 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $96K, expenses of $338K, and assets of $5.5M (revenue +6.0% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $90K, expenses of $325K, and assets of $4.9M (revenue +25.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $72K, expenses of $340K, and assets of $6.1M (revenue +87.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $38K, expenses of $322K, and assets of $6.0M (revenue -68.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $123K, expenses of $318K, and assets of $6.3M (revenue +14077.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $867, expenses of $407K, and assets of $7.5M (revenue +18.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $731, expenses of $430K, and assets of $7.9M (revenue -13.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $843, expenses of $452K, and assets of $8.3M (revenue -7.8% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $914, expenses of $478K, and assets of $8.7M (revenue -55.3% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $2K, expenses of $501K, and assets of $9.2M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for The Mason Hirst Foundation Inc 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.