The Schechter Foundation
The Schechter Foundation consistently spends more than it earns, with recurring negative net income.
EIN: 133157311 · Fairfield, CT · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is The Schechter Foundation Legit?
Significant Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
The Schechter Foundation directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About The Schechter Foundation
The Schechter Foundation (EIN: 133157311) is a nonprofit organization based in Fairfield, CT. The organization reported total revenue of $81K and total assets of $228K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of The Schechter Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
The Schechter Foundation is a micro nonprofit that has been operating for 43 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -31.3%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $359 |
| Total Expenses | $11K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-10,296 |
| Total Assets | $213K |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $213K |
| Operating Margin | -2868.0% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 239.5 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, The Schechter Foundation reported a deficit of $10K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 239.5 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 Schechter Foundation's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -31.3%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -104.1% | -57.5% | -1.9% |
| 2021 | -45.9% | -72.0% | +6.0% |
| 2019 | -142.0% | +97.3% | -26.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1983 |
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 Schechter Foundation with a Mission Score of 40 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 Schechter Foundation 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 $10K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all filings, indicating that no officers or directors are receiving salaries from the organization, which is a positive for minimizing overhead.
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 Schechter Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent and significant expense overruns compared to revenue, e.g., $10,655 expenses vs. $359 revenue in 2023.
- Negative revenue reported in some periods (e.g., $-859 in 2022, $-6,543 in 2019).
- Significant decline in assets over time, from $423,065 in 2011 to $212,690 in 2023, indicating unsustainable spending.
- Lack of NTEE code makes it difficult to understand the organization's mission and compare its financial performance to peers.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for The Schechter Foundation:
- Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds at the executive level.
- Low liabilities consistently reported ($0-$1), suggesting good debt management.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Schechter Foundation
Is The Schechter Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Schechter Foundation (EIN: 133157311) significant concerns. Mission Score: 40/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
How does The Schechter Foundation spend its money?
The Schechter Foundation directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to The Schechter Foundation tax-deductible?
The Schechter Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 133157311). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is The Schechter Foundation financially sustainable?
Based on the provided data, the foundation's financial sustainability is questionable. It has consistently reported expenses significantly exceeding revenue in most periods, such as $10,655 in expenses vs. $359 in revenue in 2023, and $127,761 in expenses vs. $34,963 in revenue in 2014. This trend suggests a reliance on drawing down assets or other external funding sources that are not evident in the revenue figures.
What is the primary purpose of The Schechter Foundation given its financial activity?
Without an NTEE code or program details, it's difficult to ascertain the primary purpose. The financial data primarily shows a pattern of asset management and disbursement, with expenses often exceeding incoming revenue, suggesting it might be a grant-making entity or a foundation drawing down its principal over time, rather than an operational charity generating program-specific revenue.
How does the organization cover its consistent expense overruns?
The organization appears to cover its expense overruns by drawing down its assets. For example, assets decreased from $423,065 in 2011 to $212,690 in 2023, while liabilities remained minimal, indicating that the deficits are being absorbed by the principal.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for The Schechter Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), The Schechter Foundation's revenue has declined by 98.9%, moving from $33K to $359. Total assets decreased by 49.7% over the same period, from $423K to $213K. Total functional expenses fell by 89.6%, from $102K to $11K. In its most recent filing year (2023), The Schechter Foundation reported a deficit of $10K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $213K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $213K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $359 | $11K | $213K | $1 | — | — |
| 2022 | $-859 | $3K | $223K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $21K | $8K | $227K | $1 | — | — |
| 2020 | $38K | $28K | $214K | $1 | — | — |
| 2019 | $-6,543 | $14K | $204K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $16K | $7K | $278K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $35K | $128K | $269K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $17K | $51K | $362K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $18K | $44K | $397K | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $33K | $102K | $423K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $359, expenses of $11K, and assets of $213K.
- 2022: Revenue of $-859, expenses of $3K, and assets of $223K (revenue -104.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $21K, expenses of $8K, and assets of $227K (revenue -45.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $38K, expenses of $28K, and assets of $214K.
- 2019: Revenue of $-6,543, expenses of $14K, and assets of $204K (revenue -142.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $16K, expenses of $7K, and assets of $278K (revenue -55.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $35K, expenses of $128K, and assets of $269K (revenue +111.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $17K, expenses of $51K, and assets of $362K (revenue -8.5% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $18K, expenses of $44K, and assets of $397K (revenue -44.8% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $33K, expenses of $102K, and assets of $423K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for The Schechter Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for The Schechter 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.