Thelma Gaylord Lyric Theatre Endowment Fund Inc

Thelma Gaylord Lyric Theatre Endowment Fund consistently spends more than it earns annually, relying on a growing asset base.

EIN: 10598137 · Oklahoma City, OK · NTEE: A11 · Updated: 2026-03-27

$168KRevenue

$4.9MAssets

75/100Mission Score (Good)

A11

About Thelma Gaylord Lyric Theatre Endowment Fund Inc

Thelma Gaylord Lyric Theatre Endowment Fund Inc (EIN: 10598137) is a nonprofit organization based in Oklahoma City, OK, classified under NTEE code A11. The organization reported total revenue of $168K and total assets of $4.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Thelma Gaylord Lyric Theatre Endowment Fund Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Thelma Gaylord Lyric Theatre Endowment Fund Inc operates as an endowment, which typically means its primary function is to manage and grow assets to provide long-term financial support to a beneficiary, in this case, the Lyric Theatre. The organization consistently reports zero liabilities and zero officer compensation across all available filings, indicating a strong balance sheet and a volunteer-led or externally managed structure for its executive functions. This suggests a high degree of financial transparency regarding its operational costs and executive remuneration.

However, the financial health shows a pattern of expenses frequently exceeding revenue. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $238,748 against revenues of $138,351, and similar deficits are observed in 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2015, and 2014. While endowments often experience fluctuations in revenue due to investment performance, consistent operational deficits could indicate reliance on drawing down principal or significant unrealized gains not reflected in annual revenue figures. The substantial asset base, which has generally grown over time (from $3,944,576 in 2018 to $4,882,906 in 2023), provides a buffer, but the long-term sustainability of this spending pattern relative to its investment returns is a key consideration.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program service expenses versus administrative and fundraising costs, which are not provided in the summary data. However, given its nature as an endowment fund, a significant portion of its 'expenses' might relate to investment management fees or distributions to the beneficiary, rather than direct program delivery by the endowment itself. The absence of officer compensation is a positive indicator of lean administrative overhead at the executive level.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Thelma Gaylord Lyric Theatre Endowment Fund Inc with a Mission Score of 75 out of 100 (Good). 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: 80%
fundraising: 5%

According to IRS 990 filings, Thelma Gaylord Lyric Theatre Endowment Fund Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that its executive functions are either entirely volunteer-based or managed by an external entity, which is a positive sign for minimizing administrative 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 Thelma Gaylord Lyric Theatre Endowment Fund Inc's IRS 990 filings:

Consistent annual expenses exceeding reported revenues (e.g., $238,748 expenses vs. $138,351 revenue in 2023), indicating reliance on asset drawdowns or unstated investment gains.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data, hindering a full assessment of spending efficiency.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Thelma Gaylord Lyric Theatre Endowment Fund Inc:

Strong asset base, consistently growing over time (from $3.9M in 2018 to $4.9M in 2023), providing long-term stability.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating very low executive overhead and potentially volunteer leadership.
No reported liabilities, demonstrating a very healthy balance sheet and financial solvency.

Frequently Asked Questions about Thelma Gaylord Lyric Theatre Endowment Fund Inc

How does the organization cover its consistent annual deficits?

The organization frequently reports expenses exceeding revenue (e.g., $238,748 expenses vs. $138,351 revenue in 2023). This suggests it may be drawing from its substantial asset base or relying on investment gains not categorized as annual revenue to cover operational costs and distributions.

What is the specific breakdown of program service expenses versus other costs?

The provided data does not offer a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, making it difficult to precisely assess spending efficiency beyond the overall revenue-expense comparison.

What is the investment strategy for the endowment's assets?

Given the organization's role as an endowment and its significant asset base (nearly $4.9 million in 2023), understanding its investment strategy and returns is crucial for evaluating its long-term financial health and ability to support its beneficiary.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Thelma Gaylord Lyric Theatre Endowment Fund Inc showing financial trends over 14 years of public records:

Over 14 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Thelma Gaylord Lyric Theatre Endowment Fund Inc's revenue has declined by 80.2%, moving from $699K to $138K. Total assets increased by 41.1% over the same period, from $3.5M to $4.9M. Total functional expenses rose by 45.3%, from $164K to $239K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Thelma Gaylord Lyric Theatre Endowment Fund Inc reported a deficit of $100K, with expenses exceeding revenue.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$138K	$239K	$4.9M	$0	—	—
2022	$103K	$236K	$4.4M	$0	—	View 990
2021	$145K	$218K	$5.4M	$0	—	View 990
2020	$118K	$178K	$4.9M	$0	—	View 990
2019	$136K	$221K	$4.5M	$0	—	View 990
2018	$-385,251	$378K	$3.9M	$0	—	View 990
2017	$660K	$293K	$4.6M	$0	—	View 990
2016	$443K	$214K	$4.2M	$0	—	View 990
2015	$164K	$207K	$4.0M	$0	—	View 990
2014	$166K	$191K	$4.0M	$0	—	View 990
2013	$628K	$180K	$4.1M	$0	—	View 990
2012	$371K	$169K	$3.6M	$0	—	View 990
2011	$-28,484	$23K	$3.4M	$0	—	View 990
2011	$699K	$164K	$3.5M	$0	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $138K, expenses of $239K, and assets of $4.9M (revenue +34.2% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $103K, expenses of $236K, and assets of $4.4M (revenue -28.8% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $145K, expenses of $218K, and assets of $5.4M (revenue +22.7% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $118K, expenses of $178K, and assets of $4.9M (revenue -13.2% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $136K, expenses of $221K, and assets of $4.5M.
2018: Revenue of $-385,251, expenses of $378K, and assets of $3.9M (revenue -158.4% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $660K, expenses of $293K, and assets of $4.6M (revenue +48.9% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $443K, expenses of $214K, and assets of $4.2M (revenue +170.0% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $164K, expenses of $207K, and assets of $4.0M (revenue -1.0% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $166K, expenses of $191K, and assets of $4.0M (revenue -73.6% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $628K, expenses of $180K, and assets of $4.1M (revenue +69.1% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $371K, expenses of $169K, and assets of $3.6M.
2011: Revenue of $-28,484, expenses of $23K, and assets of $3.4M (revenue -104.1% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $699K, expenses of $164K, and assets of $3.5M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Thelma Gaylord Lyric Theatre Endowment Fund 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.