Points of Light Foundation

Analysis

Points of Light Foundation is a registered charity in United States, based in Atlanta, GA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in May 1991, 35 years ago. Its declared purposes cover philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking foundations, which this site groups under grant-making and general purposes. 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 September 2023, Points of Light Foundation reported income of $27.1m and spending of $27.9m, spending 103% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2019 to September 2023, income grew from $18.9m to $27.1m (+43%), an average of +9.4% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2022, when income rose by 55%. Over the whole period it spent 92% of the income it received.

Among 19,413 United States charities whose main cause is grant-making and general purposes and that reported income, Points of Light Foundation sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile, and in the 98th percentile within GA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation ($26.8m), Alaska Community Foundation ($27.2m) and Quad Cities Golf Classic Charitable Foundation ($26.6m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending September 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 49% and program service revenue 51% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $1.7m (6.1% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $5.5m. It paid $20k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $22.4m against liabilities of $10.6m, net assets of $11.8m. It reported 77 employees.