Donors Trust Inc
Support charities & sponsor programs that promote liberty- See Part III
IRS Tax Year 2024
Period ending December 31, 2024
Total Revenue
$294.4M
Total Expenses
$291.5M
Net Assets
$1.4B
Employees
18
Volunteers
4
Grants Paid
$284.1M
Program Expense Ratio
98.1%
Fundraising Efficiency
13578.7%
This nonprofit profile presents IRS Form 990 tax filing data for Donors Trust Inc (EIN: 52-2166327), based on the 2024 tax year annual return filed with the Internal Revenue Service.
Sections below include financial summaries (revenue, expenses, and net assets), program accomplishments, officer and key employee compensation, detailed executive pay breakdowns, top independent contractors, governance policies and audit information, related tax-exempt organizations. All figures are reported in USD as filed.
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Financial Health
Transparency
Compensation
Program Effectiveness
Financial Stability
Risk Flags
Indicators derived from IRS Form 990 data. Not financial advice.
Donors Trust Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Alexandria, VA, founded in 1999. It is classified under NTEE code T99 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking N.E.C.), within the Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking category. The organization has held tax-exempt status since 1999. In its 2024 filing, the organization reported $294.4M in total revenue, a 86.1% increase from the prior year, and $291.5M in total expenses. The organization employed 18 people and engaged 4 volunteers. Lawson R Bader, President and CEO, is the highest-compensated individual at $507,792. The organization runs 3 programs, totaling $286.1M in program expenses. 5 of 6 recommended governance policies are in place. Executive benefits include first-class travel.
Donors Trust Inc is classified under NTEE code T99 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking N.E.C.), which falls within the Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking category. Its foundation type is 15.
Programs(Tax Year 2024)
3 records
Donors Trust Inc operates 3 programs, with total program expenses of $286.1M. Donors Trust Inc's largest program accounts for 100% of total program spending.
A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) program allowing DAF contributors to advise grants that support charities which alleviate, through education, research and private initiatives, society's most pervasive and radical needs, including those relating to social welfare, health, environment, economics, governance, foreign relations and arts and culture; and which encourage private philanthropy and individual giving and responsibility as an answer to society's needs, as opposed to governmental involvement.
Donors Trust serves as an incubator for organizations with missions that align with that of Donors Trust and that are in the process of applying for tax-exempt status, thereby allowing these start-up organizations a chance to begin operations while waiting for formal recognition of their non-profit status.
Donors Trust initiated a program to make grants to foreign NGOs for which Donors Trust receives an equivalency determination that finds had the foreign organization been (1) a U.S. based organization and (2) applied for tax-exempt status the NGO would have received recognition as a 501(c)(3) publicly supported charity.
Financial Overview(Tax Years 2020–2024)
5 records
Over the past 5 years, Donors Trust Inc's revenue has declined from $360.2M to $294.4M, a 18.3% decrease. Program expenses represent 98% of total spending.
Revenue increased 86.1% year-over-year, while expenses declined 18.5%. net assets rose to $1.4B, up 5.7% from the prior year. the organization added 2 employees.
Donors Trust Inc derives 79% from contributions and grants, with 21% from investment income.
Revenue is primarily driven by contributions and grants (79%), with investment income at 21%.
Donors Trust Inc allocates 98% to programs, 1% to management and general, 1% to fundraising.
Revenue grew by 86.1% while expenses declined by only 18.5%, suggesting improving operational efficiency.
Donors Trust Inc distributed $284.1M in grants to other organizations and individuals, representing 97% of total expenses.
Over 5 filings from 2020–2024, Donors Trust Inc declined revenue from $360.2M to $294.4M (-18.3%) while maintaining a program expense ratio of 98%. During this period, the organization grew from 10 to 18 employees.
Donors Trust Inc holds $1.4B in total assets against $1.8M in liabilities (debt-to-asset ratio of 0%). The organization has 56.1 months of operating reserves. Cash and equivalents of $0 cover approximately 0.0 months of expenses.
Revenue
| Year | Total Revenue | Contributions | Gov't Grants | Program Revenue | Investment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $294.4M | $232.1M | $0 | $0 | $62.3M |
| 2023 | $158.3M | $226.0M | $0 | $0 | $-67.8M |
| 2022 | $323.1M | $303.3M | $0 | $0 | $19.8M |
| 2021 | $1.1B | $1.1B | $0 | $0 | $13.6M |
| 2020 | $360.2M | $354.6M | $0 | $0 | $5.6M |
Expenses
| Year | Total Expenses | Program | Management | Fundraising | Grants Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $291.5M | $286.1M | $3.7M | $1.7M | $284.1M |
| 2023 | $357.9M | $353.7M | $802K | $1.7M | $351.2M |
| 2022 | $248.1M | $244.2M | $2.2M | $1.7M | $242.2M |
| 2021 | $191.9M | $189.1M | $1.5M | $1.2M | $187.7M |
| 2020 | $185.8M | $184.1M | $512K | $1.2M | $182.5M |
Program Expense Ratio
98.1%
Admin Expense Ratio
1.3%
Fundraising Efficiency
13578.7%
Operating Reserve
56.1 mo
People & Compensation(Tax Year 2024)
12 records
Donors Trust Inc reported compensation for 12 officers and key employees. Total officer compensation was $2.4M, representing 0.8% of total expenses. 1 individual received total compensation exceeding $500,000.
Donors Trust Inc's highest-compensated individual received $508K in total compensation. Total officer compensation of $2.4M represents 0.8% of total expenses. 1 individual received total compensation exceeding $500,000.
| Name | Title | Type | Hours/wk | Comp from Org | Related Orgs | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawson R Bader | President and CEO | OfficerDirector | 42.00 | $399,997 | $0 | $507,792 |
| Jeffrey C Zysik | CFO, COO and Treasurer | Officer | 42.00 | $312,413 | $0 | $402,850 |
| Peter A Lipsett | Vice President | Officer | 45.00 | $240,536 | $0 | $312,788 |
| Gregory P Conko | Vice President of Programs | Officer | 40.00 | $236,087 | $0 | $303,845 |
| Stephen M Johnson | CTO | Officer | 45.00 | $188,141 | $0 | $235,129 |
| Lukas C Dwelly | Philanthropic Advisor | Highest Comp | 40.00 | $186,290 | $0 | $232,656 |
| Christopher D Renner | Controller | Highest Comp | 40.00 | $163,134 | $0 | $212,846 |
| Stephanie L Giovanetti | Philanthropic Advisor | Highest Comp | 40.00 | $170,558 | $0 | $196,142 |
| Kimberly O Dennis | Chair | OfficerDirector | 1.00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Thomas E Beach | Director | Director | 1.00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| George GH Coates Jr | Director | Director | 1.00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| James Piereson | Vice Chair | OfficerDirector | 1.00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Compensation Breakdown
Schedule J detail — base, bonus, benefits, and executive perks
Lawson R Bader
Base Salary
$380,997
Bonus
$19,000
Other Reportable
—
Retirement/Deferred
$51,750
Nontaxable Benefits
$56,045
Executive Perks
Jeffrey C Zysik
Base Salary
$298,913
Bonus
$13,500
Other Reportable
—
Retirement/Deferred
$47,202
Nontaxable Benefits
$43,235
Executive Perks
Peter A Lipsett
Base Salary
$227,036
Bonus
$13,500
Other Reportable
—
Retirement/Deferred
$36,915
Nontaxable Benefits
$35,337
Executive Perks
Gregory P Conko
Base Salary
$222,587
Bonus
$13,500
Other Reportable
—
Retirement/Deferred
$35,644
Nontaxable Benefits
$32,114
Executive Perks
Stephen M Johnson
Base Salary
$176,641
Bonus
$11,500
Other Reportable
—
Retirement/Deferred
$28,781
Nontaxable Benefits
$18,207
Executive Perks
Lukas C Dwelly
Base Salary
$171,790
Bonus
$14,500
Other Reportable
—
Retirement/Deferred
$25,253
Nontaxable Benefits
$21,113
Executive Perks
Christopher D Renner
Base Salary
$159,134
Bonus
$4,000
Other Reportable
—
Retirement/Deferred
$25,253
Nontaxable Benefits
$24,459
Executive Perks
Stephanie L Giovanetti
Base Salary
$159,058
Bonus
$11,500
Other Reportable
—
Retirement/Deferred
$25,584
Nontaxable Benefits
—
Executive Perks
Top Contractors(Tax Year 2024)
1 record
Donors Trust Inc reported 1 contractor receiving over $100,000, with total contractor payments of $720K.
| Name | Service | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Health Policy Matters LLC | Project management | $720,000 |
Governance & Compliance(Tax Year 2024)
Donors Trust Inc has 5 of 6 recommended governance policies in place, including conflict of interest, whistleblower, document retention. Its board has 5 members, 4 of whom are independent.
Donors Trust Inc's financial statements are audited, an audit committee oversees the process, accounting follows GAAP standards.
Policies & Oversight
Audit & Financial Oversight
Grants Awarded(Tax Year 2024)
919 records
Donors Trust Inc awarded $282.1M across 919 grants to organizations. Top recipients include MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (Washington, DC) — $35.0M for for the medstar orthopaedic institute; America First Legal Foundation (Washington, DC) — $20.7M for for general operations; State Policy Network (Arlington, VA) — $7.0M for for general operations.
Organization Grants
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| MedStar Georgetown University Hospital522218584 | Washington, DC | $35.0M | for the MedStar Orthopaedic Institute |
| America First Legal Foundation862190372 | Washington, DC | $20.7M | for general operations |
| State Policy Network570952531 | Arlington, VA | $7.0M | for general operations |
| Institute for Justice521744337 | Arlington, VA | $7.0M | for general operations |
| Consumers' Research Inc221500498 | Vienna, VA | $5.1M | for general operations |
| Texas A&M Foundation742245072 | College Station, TX | $5.0M | for the Center on the Structural Constitution |
| Reason Foundation953298239 | Los Angeles, CA | $5.0M | for general operations |
| Teneo Network Inc832151429 | Austin, TX | $4.4M | for general operations |
| Real Clear Foundation522128875 | Northbrook, IL | $4.2M | for general operations |
| GMU Foundation541603842 | Arlington, VA | $3.8M | for the Law & Economics Center |
| Lucy Burns Institute208036372 | Middleton, WI | $3.1M | for general operations |
| Foundation for Constitutional Freedom934873040 | Vienna, VA | $3.0M | for general operations |
| Mackinac Center for Public Policy382701547 | Midland, MI | $2.9M | for general operations |
| Informing America Foundation863753264 | Washington, DC | $2.8M | for general operations |
| ACANI Inc262387657 | New York, NY | $2.8M | for general operations |
| Pacific Legal Foundation942197343 | Sacramento, CA | $2.8M | for general operations |
| Competitive Enterprise Institute521351785 | Washington, DC | $2.8M | for general operations |
| Do No Harm874701865 | Glen Allen, VA | $2.8M | for litigation efforts and general operations |
| Green Light Project464631639 | New York, NY | $2.6M | for general operations |
| Passages America Israel Inc812453820 | Allen, TX | $2.5M | for general operations |
Showing 20 of 919 grants.
Foreign Activities(Tax Year 2024)
Activities span East Asia and the Pacific, Central America and the Caribbean, Europe (Including Iceland & Greenland), North America.
Regions & Countries
| Region / Country | Activity | Expenditure |
|---|---|---|
| East Asia and the Pacific | — | — |
| Central America and the Caribbean | — | — |
| Europe (Including Iceland & Greenland) | — | — |
| North America | — | — |
Supplemental Financial Data(Tax Year 2024)
Donors Trust Inc operates a donor-advised fund (DAF) program with 579 accounts. The endowment stands at $1.3B, with $231.6M in new contributions.
Filing History(Tax Years 1999–2024)
5 records
Showing the 5 Form 990 filings currently in our system.
| Tax Year | Form | Period | Revenue | Expenses | Net Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 990 | 2024-01-01 – 2024-12-31 | $294.4M | $291.5M | $1.4B |
| 2023 | 990 | 2023-01-01 – 2023-12-31 | $158.3M | $357.9M | $1.3B |
| 2022 | 990 | 2022-01-01 – 2022-12-31 | $323.1M | $248.1M | $1.4B |
| 2021 | 990 | 2021-01-01 – 2021-12-31 | $1.1B | $191.9M | $1.5B |
| 2020 | 990 | 2020-01-01 – 2020-12-31 | $360.2M | $185.8M | $607.3M |
| 1999–2019 | No filings acquired yet | ||||
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Donors Trust Inc do?
Support charities & sponsor programs that promote liberty- See Part III
How much revenue does Donors Trust Inc have?
Donors Trust Inc reported $294,438,756 in total revenue for tax year 2024, up 86.1% from the prior year.
Who is the highest-paid executive at Donors Trust Inc?
Lawson R Bader, President and CEO, received $507,792 in total compensation as of tax year 2024.
Is Donors Trust Inc a 501(c)(3)?
Yes, Donors Trust Inc is classified as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
Where is Donors Trust Inc located?
Donors Trust Inc is headquartered in Alexandria, VA 223142840.
How many employees does Donors Trust Inc have?
Donors Trust Inc has 18 employees and 4 volunteers as of tax year 2024.
What type of nonprofit is Donors Trust Inc?
Donors Trust Inc is classified under NTEE code T99 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking N.E.C.), within the Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking category. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
Is Donors Trust Inc audited?
Yes, Donors Trust Inc's financial statements are audited, and the organization has an audit committee.
How much does Donors Trust Inc spend on fundraising?
Donors Trust Inc reported $1,709,353 in fundraising expenses for tax year 2024, which represents 0.6% of total expenses.
Does Donors Trust Inc give grants?
Yes, Donors Trust Inc distributed $284,123,648 in grants to other organizations and individuals in tax year 2024. Top recipients include MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, America First Legal Foundation, State Policy Network.
Does Donors Trust Inc operate internationally?
Yes, Donors Trust Inc conducts activities outside the United States. Activities span East Asia and the Pacific, Central America and the Caribbean, Europe (Including Iceland & Greenland), North America.
Data Source
Prepared by: Rogers & Company PLLC, Vienna, VA
IRS Form 990 electronic filings via the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File. All financial figures are as reported in USD.
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