Quick charity verification for Acorn Foundation Inc (EIN: 223079659)
Verdict: Acorn Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$11.1MRevenue
$31.9MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Administrative expenses appear high relative to program spending in some years, warranting further investigation into operational efficiency.
Revenue has been highly inconsistent year-over-year, with a significant drop from $5,977,900 in 2021 to $1,386,949 in 2022, and then a rebound to $3,357,025 in 2023, which could indicate reliance on volatile funding sources.
Strengths
The organization has demonstrated consistent and substantial asset growth, from $8,313,877 in 2013 to $31,894,344 in 2023, indicating strong financial management and investment strategies.
Acorn Foundation has a long operational history with available financial data spanning over a decade, suggesting stability and longevity.
The foundation consistently maintains a positive net asset position, demonstrating financial health.
Spending Breakdown
How Acorn Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
50%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
30%
Admin Costs
High — over 25% on administration
20%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Acorn Foundation Inc
Is Acorn Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Acorn Foundation Inc (EIN: 223079659) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Acorn Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Acorn Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $11.1M. Assets: $31.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Acorn Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Acorn Foundation Inc is 223079659. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does Acorn Foundation Inc spend its money?
Acorn Foundation Inc allocates 50% to programs, 30% to administration, and 20% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Acorn Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Acorn Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 223079659 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
Acorn Foundation Inc is a unknown nonprofit based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with reported revenue of $11.1M and assets of $31.9M. Our AI analysis assigns a Mission Score of 75/100 (Good). Approximately 50% of spending goes to programs, 30% to administration, and 20% to fundraising. Executive compensation cannot be assessed from the provided data, as no specific figures for executive salaries are included in the summary. Revenue has grown +313% across 10 filing periods.