The Onestar Foundation
Onestar Foundation consistently disburses all revenue as expenses with no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 200445492 · Austin, TX · NTEE: S80 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is The Onestar Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
The Onestar Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About The Onestar Foundation
The Onestar Foundation (EIN: 200445492) is a nonprofit organization based in Austin, TX, classified under NTEE code S80. The organization reported total revenue of $31.3M and total assets of $4.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of The Onestar Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates The Onestar 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: 5%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, The Onestar Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 5%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 5%. With 90% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Onestar Foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all 13 filings, which is unusual for an organization of its size with revenues exceeding $31 million. This could indicate a fully volunteer executive team or that executive compensation is handled by a related entity, requiring further clarification for full transparency.
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 Onestar Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Unexplained 0% officer compensation for a large organization
- Consistent matching of assets and liabilities without further detail on the nature of these liabilities
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for The Onestar Foundation:
- Consistent revenue generation and growth over time (from $14.7M in 2014 to $28.3M in 2023)
- Efficient fund disbursement with expenses consistently matching revenues, indicating funds are put to use quickly
- Significant asset growth over the past decade, from $488,877 in 2014 to $4,276,760 in 2023
Frequently Asked Questions about The Onestar Foundation
Is The Onestar Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Onestar Foundation (EIN: 200445492) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does The Onestar Foundation spend its money?
The Onestar Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to The Onestar Foundation tax-deductible?
The Onestar Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 200445492). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How does The Onestar Foundation manage to operate with 0% reported officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all 13 filings is highly unusual for an organization of this scale. It suggests either a fully volunteer executive leadership, or that executive compensation is covered by a related entity or through other means not disclosed in the standard officer compensation section of the 990. Further inquiry into their operational model and related party transactions would be necessary to understand this fully.
What is the nature of the consistent matching of assets and liabilities in The Onestar Foundation's filings?
The consistent matching of assets and liabilities (e.g., $4,276,760 for both in 2023) suggests that a significant portion of the organization's assets are offset by corresponding liabilities, such as grants payable or other restricted funds that are earmarked for specific future disbursements. This is common for pass-through entities or foundations that hold funds temporarily before distributing them.
Given the NTEE code S80 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations), how does The Onestar Foundation's financial activity align with this classification?
The consistent pattern of revenues matching expenses, coupled with the growth in assets and liabilities that also match, strongly aligns with the NTEE code S80. This financial behavior is typical of a grantmaking foundation that receives funds and then disburses them, often holding funds temporarily as assets with corresponding liabilities until they are granted out.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for The Onestar Foundation showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), The Onestar Foundation's revenue has grown by 113.2%, moving from $13.3M to $28.3M. Total assets increased by 668.9% over the same period, from $556K to $4.3M. Total functional expenses rose by 113.2%, from $13.3M to $28.3M. In its most recent filing year (2023), The Onestar Foundation reported a surplus of $0, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $4.3M in liabilities against $4.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 100.0%), resulting in net assets of $0.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $28.3M | $28.3M | $4.3M | $4.3M | — | — |
| 2022 | $23.6M | $23.6M | $4.7M | $4.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $19.5M | $19.5M | $2.6M | $2.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $20.0M | $20.0M | $2.5M | $2.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $20.3M | $20.3M | $2.9M | $2.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $17.4M | $17.4M | $793K | $793K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $14.5M | $14.5M | $571K | $571K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $14.9M | $14.9M | $477K | $477K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $14.9M | $14.9M | $480K | $480K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $14.7M | $14.7M | $489K | $489K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $14.0M | $14.0M | $524K | $524K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $12.3M | $12.3M | $569K | $569K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $13.3M | $13.3M | $556K | $556K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $28.3M, expenses of $28.3M, and assets of $4.3M (revenue +19.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $23.6M, expenses of $23.6M, and assets of $4.7M (revenue +21.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $19.5M, expenses of $19.5M, and assets of $2.6M (revenue -2.6% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $20.0M, expenses of $20.0M, and assets of $2.5M (revenue -1.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $20.3M, expenses of $20.3M, and assets of $2.9M (revenue +16.9% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $17.4M, expenses of $17.4M, and assets of $793K (revenue +20.0% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $14.5M, expenses of $14.5M, and assets of $571K (revenue -2.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $14.9M, expenses of $14.9M, and assets of $477K (revenue +0.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $14.9M, expenses of $14.9M, and assets of $480K (revenue +1.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $14.7M, expenses of $14.7M, and assets of $489K (revenue +5.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $14.0M, expenses of $14.0M, and assets of $524K (revenue +14.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $12.3M, expenses of $12.3M, and assets of $569K (revenue -7.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $13.3M, expenses of $13.3M, and assets of $556K.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for The Onestar 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.