The Sparks Foundation Inc
The Sparks Foundation Inc consistently operates with significant revenue surpluses and zero reported officer compensation.
EIN: 200396160 · Midland, TX · NTEE: T22 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $5.9M |
| Total Expenses | $430K |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $8 |
| Net Assets | $8.1M |
| Transparency Score | 92/100 |
Is The Sparks 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 Sparks Foundation Inc directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About The Sparks Foundation Inc
The Sparks Foundation Inc (EIN: 200396160) is a nonprofit organization based in Midland, TX, classified under NTEE code T22. The organization reported total revenue of $5.9M and total assets of $12.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of The Sparks Foundation Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
The Sparks Foundation Inc is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 22 years, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 22.9%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $2.2M |
| Total Expenses | $430K |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$1.7M |
| Total Assets | $8.1M |
| Total Liabilities | $5K |
| Net Assets | $8.1M |
| Operating Margin | 80.0% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 225.7 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, The Sparks Foundation Inc reported a surplus of $1.7M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 225.7 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.1% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 10 years of filings (2011–2023), The Sparks Foundation Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.9%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -42.7% | -55.4% | +23.5% |
| 2022 | +181.4% | +39.1% | +74.2% |
| 2021 | +63.9% | +84.4% | +20.6% |
| 2020 | +155.5% | -1.1% | +16.3% |
| 2019 | -14.0% | +143.7% | +30.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2004 |
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 Sparks Foundation Inc with a Mission Score of 92 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 Sparks Foundation Inc 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 $1.7M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Sparks Foundation Inc has consistently reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that its leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is highly favorable for a nonprofit of its size with assets exceeding $8 million.
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 Sparks Foundation Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program vs. admin vs. fundraising) in provided summary data
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for The Sparks Foundation Inc:
- Consistent revenue surpluses, indicating strong financial management (e.g., $2,151,637 revenue vs. $430,322 expenses in 2023).
- Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds.
- Significant and consistent growth in assets, from $1.7 million in 2011 to over $8 million in 2023, enhancing long-term stability.
- Low liabilities in recent years, indicating sound financial health and minimal debt.
- Strong overall financial growth and stability over more than a decade of operations.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Sparks Foundation Inc
Is The Sparks Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
The Sparks Foundation Inc (EIN: 200396160) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Texas. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 92/100. It has 10 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $5.9M. 1 red flag identified. 5 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does The Sparks Foundation Inc spend its money?
The Sparks Foundation Inc directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to The Sparks Foundation Inc tax-deductible?
The Sparks Foundation Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 200396160). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the The Sparks Foundation Inc CEO make?
The Sparks Foundation Inc's highest-compensated officer earns $8 annually. The organization reported $5.9M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of The Sparks Foundation Inc's spending goes to programs?
The Sparks Foundation Inc directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does The Sparks Foundation Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 92/100 (Excellent), The Sparks Foundation Inc is above 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 Sparks Foundation Inc located?
The Sparks Foundation Inc is headquartered in Midland, Texas and files with the IRS under EIN 200396160. It is classified under NTEE code T22.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does The Sparks Foundation Inc have?
The Sparks 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 $5.9M in total revenue.
Is The Sparks Foundation Inc a good charity?
Based on the provided IRS 990 data, The Sparks Foundation Inc appears to be a very good charity. It consistently generates significant revenue surpluses, has a growing asset base, and reports 0% officer compensation, suggesting a strong commitment to its mission and efficient use of funds.
How has The Sparks Foundation Inc's financial health changed over time?
The organization's financial health has significantly improved over time. Revenue has grown from $180,898 in 2011 to $2,151,637 in 2023, and assets have increased from $1,724,999 to $8,094,163 over the same period, demonstrating substantial growth and stability.
What is The Sparks Foundation Inc's approach to executive compensation?
The Sparks Foundation Inc reports 0% officer compensation in all available filings, indicating a highly conservative approach to executive pay, likely relying on volunteer leadership or very low-cost administrative support.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for The Sparks Foundation Inc showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), The Sparks Foundation Inc's revenue has grown by 1089.4%, moving from $181K to $2.2M. Total assets increased by 369.2% over the same period, from $1.7M to $8.1M. Total functional expenses rose by 1694%, from $24K to $430K. In its most recent filing year (2023), The Sparks Foundation Inc reported a surplus of $1.7M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $5K in liabilities against $8.1M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.1%), resulting in net assets of $8.1M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.2M | $430K | $8.1M | $5K | — | — |
| 2022 | $3.8M | $965K | $6.6M | $-1,999 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.3M | $693K | $3.8M | $2 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $814K | $376K | $3.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $319K | $380K | $2.7M | $1 | — | — |
| 2015 | $371K | $156K | $2.1M | $171K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $230K | $164K | $1.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $211K | $107K | $1.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $111K | $48K | $1.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $181K | $24K | $1.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $430K, and assets of $8.1M (revenue -42.7% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $3.8M, expenses of $965K, and assets of $6.6M (revenue +181.4% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $693K, and assets of $3.8M (revenue +63.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $814K, expenses of $376K, and assets of $3.1M (revenue +155.5% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $319K, expenses of $380K, and assets of $2.7M (revenue -14.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $371K, expenses of $156K, and assets of $2.1M (revenue +60.8% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $230K, expenses of $164K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue +9.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $211K, expenses of $107K, and assets of $1.9M (revenue +89.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $111K, expenses of $48K, and assets of $1.8M (revenue -38.4% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $181K, expenses of $24K, and assets of $1.7M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for The Sparks Foundation Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for The Sparks 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.