United States Fencing Association
United States Fencing Association shows consistent revenue growth and operational spending, with no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 116075952 · Colorado Spgs, CO · NTEE: N71 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is United States Fencing Association Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
United States Fencing Association directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About United States Fencing Association
United States Fencing Association (EIN: 116075952) is a nonprofit organization based in Colorado Spgs, CO, classified under NTEE code N71. The organization reported total revenue of $15.8M and total assets of $5.8M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of United States Fencing Association's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
United States Fencing Association is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 22 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 7.3%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $12.3M |
| Total Expenses | $12.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-182,698 |
| Total Assets | $4.7M |
| Total Liabilities | $3.6M |
| Net Assets | $1.1M |
| Operating Margin | -1.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 76.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 4.5 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, United States Fencing Association reported a deficit of $183K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 4.5 months of operating reserves (adequate), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 76.1% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), United States Fencing Association's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +6.1% | +9.1% | +23.2% |
| 2022 | +51.6% | +46.9% | -11.3% |
| 2021 | -9.4% | -9.6% | +49.8% |
| 2020 | -24.5% | -19.1% | -18.6% |
| 2019 | +13.0% | +9.2% | +41.4% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| 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 United States Fencing Association 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: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, United States Fencing Association 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 deficit of $183K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 76.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The IRS 990 filings consistently report 0% officer compensation, which is highly unusual for an organization with annual revenues exceeding $12 million and suggests that executive compensation may be reported under different categories or is not directly tied to 'officer' roles as defined by the 990, or that the data is incomplete.
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 United States Fencing Association's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is highly unusual for an organization of this scale.
- Liabilities have grown significantly, from $1.2 million in 2014 to $3.5 million in 2023, warranting further investigation into their nature.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for United States Fencing Association:
- Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, nearly doubling from $7.4 million in 2014 to $12.2 million in 2023.
- Strong program spending, indicating a focus on mission-related activities.
- Growing asset base, increasing from $1.1 million in 2014 to $4.6 million in 2023, suggesting improved financial capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions about United States Fencing Association
Is United States Fencing Association a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, United States Fencing Association (EIN: 116075952) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does United States Fencing Association spend its money?
United States Fencing Association directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to United States Fencing Association tax-deductible?
United States Fencing Association is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 116075952). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How is executive leadership compensated if officer compensation is consistently reported as 0%?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is a significant anomaly for an organization of this size. It suggests that executive compensation might be categorized differently (e.g., as program staff salaries if executives also perform program roles) or that the data provided in this specific field is incomplete or misleading. Further review of the full 990 forms, particularly Part VII, Section A, would be necessary to understand how key employees and officers are compensated.
What is the organization's strategy for managing its liabilities, which have grown alongside assets?
Liabilities have increased from $1.2 million in 2014 to $3.5 million in 2023, generally tracking the growth in assets. While an increase in liabilities isn't inherently negative, especially if tied to asset acquisition or program expansion, understanding the nature of these liabilities (e.g., program-related debt, operational payables) and the organization's repayment strategy is important for assessing long-term financial health.
What are the specific program activities that account for the majority of the organization's expenses?
With a significant portion of expenses (estimated 85%) dedicated to programs, understanding the specific initiatives, events, and services that constitute these program activities would provide greater insight into the organization's direct impact and mission fulfillment.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for United States Fencing Association showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), United States Fencing Association's revenue has grown by 132.6%, moving from $5.3M to $12.3M. Total assets increased by 472.1% over the same period, from $820K to $4.7M. Total functional expenses rose by 131.4%, from $5.4M to $12.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), United States Fencing Association reported a deficit of $183K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $3.6M in liabilities against $4.7M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 76.1%), resulting in net assets of $1.1M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $12.3M | $12.5M | $4.7M | $3.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $11.6M | $11.4M | $3.8M | $2.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $7.6M | $7.8M | $4.3M | $3.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $8.4M | $8.6M | $2.9M | $1.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $11.2M | $10.6M | $3.5M | $2.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $9.9M | $9.7M | $2.5M | $1.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $9.2M | $8.8M | $2.4M | $1.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $8.3M | $7.9M | $1.6M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $7.5M | $7.3M | $1.2M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $7.4M | $6.9M | $1.1M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $6.8M | $5.9M | $713K | $1.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $5.5M | $6.0M | $630K | $2.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $5.3M | $5.4M | $820K | $1.7M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $12.3M, expenses of $12.5M, and assets of $4.7M (revenue +6.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $11.6M, expenses of $11.4M, and assets of $3.8M (revenue +51.6% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $7.6M, expenses of $7.8M, and assets of $4.3M (revenue -9.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $8.4M, expenses of $8.6M, and assets of $2.9M (revenue -24.5% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $11.2M, expenses of $10.6M, and assets of $3.5M (revenue +13.0% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $9.9M, expenses of $9.7M, and assets of $2.5M (revenue +7.7% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $9.2M, expenses of $8.8M, and assets of $2.4M (revenue +10.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $8.3M, expenses of $7.9M, and assets of $1.6M (revenue +10.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $7.5M, expenses of $7.3M, and assets of $1.2M (revenue +0.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $7.4M, expenses of $6.9M, and assets of $1.1M (revenue +9.1% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $6.8M, expenses of $5.9M, and assets of $713K (revenue +24.8% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $5.5M, expenses of $6.0M, and assets of $630K (revenue +3.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $5.3M, expenses of $5.4M, and assets of $820K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for United States Fencing Association:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for United States Fencing Association 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.