Thorn

Analysis

Thorn is a registered charity in United States, based in El Segundo, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in March 2010, 16 years ago. Its declared purposes cover human services, which this site groups under poverty relief. 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, Thorn reported income of $15.8m and spending of $24.6m, spending 156% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income fell from $62.0m to $15.8m (-75%), an average of -29% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2020, when income dropped by 79%. Over the whole period it spent 76% of the income it received.

Among 62,758 United States charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, Thorn sits at the 96th percentile: it is larger than about 96% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile, and in the 97th percentile within CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Arrowleaf ($15.7m), Christian Childrens Home of Ohio ($15.8m) and Bread of Life Inc ($15.7m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 53% and program service revenue 40% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $1.5m (6.0% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $14.1m. At year end it held assets of $38.5m against liabilities of $2.5m, net assets of $36.0m. It reported 108 employees.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.