The 85 Fund

Analysis

The 85 Fund is a registered charity in United States, based in Fort Worth, TX. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in November 2011, 15 years ago. Its declared purposes cover crime and legal-related, which this site groups under human rights and equality. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, The 85 Fund reported income of $143.1m and spending of $145.4m, spending 102% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $13.5m to $143.1m (+960%), an average of +80% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2020, when income rose by 387%. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.

Among 9,611 United States charities whose main cause is human rights and equality and that reported income, The 85 Fund sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile, and in the 100th percentile within TX. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include American Arbitration Association Inc ($139.6m), Southern Poverty Law Center Inc ($169.9m) and American Bar Association Fund for Justice and Education ($124.6m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 100% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $246k (0.2% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $1.2m. It paid $750k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $3.9m against liabilities of $0, net assets of $3.9m. It reported 9 employees.