Wagner Foundation
Wagner Foundation shows strong asset growth but recent years' expenses exceed revenue, with no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 206079941 · Cambridge, MA · NTEE: T22 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $40.3M |
| Total Expenses | $15.5M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| Net Assets | $167.8M |
| Transparency Score | 88/100 |
Is Wagner Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Wagner Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Wagner Foundation
Wagner Foundation (EIN: 206079941) is a nonprofit organization based in Cambridge, MA, classified under NTEE code T22. The organization reported total revenue of $40.3M and total assets of $161.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Wagner Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Wagner Foundation is a large 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 1.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $7.9M |
| Total Expenses | $15.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-7,566,194 |
| Total Assets | $167.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $5K |
| Net Assets | $167.8M |
| Operating Margin | -95.7% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 130.1 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Wagner Foundation reported a deficit of $7.6M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 130.1 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), Wagner Foundation's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -35.7% | -4.2% | -4.3% |
| 2022 | -65.8% | +10.0% | -2.2% |
| 2021 | +117.9% | +24.1% | +13.5% |
| 2020 | -51.8% | +12.0% | +3.0% |
| 2019 | +294.6% | +89.3% | +67.3% |
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 Wagner Foundation with a Mission Score of 88 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, Wagner Foundation 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 $7.6M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Wagner Foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries or benefits were paid to officers, which is highly unusual and suggests a very lean or volunteer-led executive structure, or that compensation is reported under other categories.
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 Wagner Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Expenses consistently exceeding revenue in recent years (e.g., 2022 and 2023), which, while potentially strategic, requires further scrutiny.
- No reported officer compensation across all filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size and could indicate compensation is reported in less transparent categories.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Wagner Foundation:
- Strong and consistent asset growth over the past decade, from $57.9M in 2011 to $167.7M in 2023.
- No reported officer compensation, suggesting a highly efficient or volunteer-led executive structure.
- Substantial asset base ($161,143,389 latest reported) provides financial stability and capacity for future programs.
- Consistent history of significant expenses, indicating active programmatic engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wagner Foundation
Is Wagner Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Wagner Foundation (EIN: 206079941) some concerns. Mission Score: 88/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Wagner Foundation spend its money?
Wagner Foundation directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Wagner Foundation tax-deductible?
Wagner Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 206079941). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Wagner Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Wagner Foundation directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Wagner Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 88/100 (Excellent), Wagner Foundation 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 Wagner Foundation located?
Wagner Foundation is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts and files with the IRS under EIN 206079941. It is classified under NTEE code T22.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Wagner Foundation have?
Wagner Foundation 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 $40.3M in total revenue.
Is the Wagner Foundation a good charity?
Based on the available data, the Wagner Foundation appears to be a good charity. It has a strong and growing asset base ($167,759,079 in 2023), no reported officer compensation, and a history of significant programmatic spending. The recent trend of expenses exceeding revenue (e.g., $15.47M expenses vs. $7.9M revenue in 2023) warrants further investigation but could be a strategic use of its substantial endowment.
Why are expenses exceeding revenue in recent years?
In 2023, expenses were $15,470,355 while revenue was $7,904,161. Similarly, in 2022, expenses were $16,148,365 against $12,287,957 in revenue. This could indicate a strategic decision to increase grantmaking or program activities, drawing from the foundation's substantial assets ($167,759,079 in 2023), rather than a sign of financial distress.
How has the foundation's financial health changed over time?
The foundation's assets have grown significantly from $57,972,072 in 2011 to $167,759,079 in 2023, demonstrating robust long-term financial health and effective asset management. While revenue fluctuates, the overall trend in assets is positive.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Wagner Foundation showing financial trends over 10 years of public records:
Over 10 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Wagner Foundation's revenue has grown by 15.4%, moving from $6.8M to $7.9M. Total assets increased by 189.4% over the same period, from $58.0M to $167.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 307.5%, from $3.8M to $15.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Wagner Foundation reported a deficit of $7.6M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $5K in liabilities against $167.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $167.8M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $7.9M | $15.5M | $167.8M | $5K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $12.3M | $16.1M | $175.3M | $11K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $35.9M | $14.7M | $179.2M | $8K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $16.5M | $11.8M | $157.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $34.2M | $10.6M | $153.3M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $8.7M | $5.6M | $91.6M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $10.7M | $5.2M | $88.5M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $19.0M | $3.4M | $83.0M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $13.7M | $4.3M | $67.4M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $6.8M | $3.8M | $58.0M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $7.9M, expenses of $15.5M, and assets of $167.8M (revenue -35.7% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $12.3M, expenses of $16.1M, and assets of $175.3M (revenue -65.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $35.9M, expenses of $14.7M, and assets of $179.2M (revenue +117.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $16.5M, expenses of $11.8M, and assets of $157.9M (revenue -51.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $34.2M, expenses of $10.6M, and assets of $153.3M (revenue +294.6% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $8.7M, expenses of $5.6M, and assets of $91.6M (revenue -19.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $10.7M, expenses of $5.2M, and assets of $88.5M (revenue -43.5% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $19.0M, expenses of $3.4M, and assets of $83.0M (revenue +38.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $13.7M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $67.4M (revenue +100.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $6.8M, expenses of $3.8M, and assets of $58.0M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Wagner Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Wagner 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.