Quick charity verification for Ada Howe Kent Foundation (EIN: 136066978)
Verdict: Ada Howe Kent Foundation appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$11.2MRevenue
$14.2MAssets
3Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant operational deficit in the latest fiscal year (202309), with expenses ($1,197,566) more than double revenue ($587,451).
Recurring instances of expenses exceeding revenue in multiple past periods (e.g., 2019, 2013, 2012), indicating potential reliance on asset drawdowns or inconsistent funding.
Lack of detailed NTEE code makes it difficult to benchmark against peer organizations for spending efficiency.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating no executive salaries or benefits are paid.
Substantial and growing asset base, increasing from $10.7 million in 2011 to $14.2 million in 2023, demonstrating strong asset management.
Regular 990 filings demonstrate good transparency in financial reporting.
Spending Breakdown
How Ada Howe Kent Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
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 Ada Howe Kent Foundation
Is Ada Howe Kent Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ada Howe Kent Foundation (EIN: 136066978) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Ada Howe Kent Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Ada Howe Kent Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $11.2M. Assets: $14.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Ada Howe Kent Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Ada Howe Kent Foundation is 136066978. 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 Ada Howe Kent Foundation spend its money?
Ada Howe Kent Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Ada Howe Kent Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Ada Howe Kent Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 136066978 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
The Ada Howe Kent Foundation demonstrates a consistent financial structure with substantial assets, reported at $14,233,860 in the latest 2023 filing. However, the organization experienced a significant deficit in its most recent fiscal period (202309), with expenses of $1,197,566 far exceeding revenue of $587,451. This trend of expenses sometimes exceeding revenue has been observed in previous years as well, such as in 2019, 2013, and 2012, indicating potential reliance on asset drawdowns or fluctuating income streams. The foundation consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence regarding executive pay.
While the foundation maintains a strong asset base, the recurring operational deficits raise questions about long-term financial sustainability if not addressed. The lack of detailed NTEE code information makes it difficult to benchmark spending efficiency against similar organizations. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities ($1 in recent years) suggests good financial management in terms of debt, but the overall financial health would benefit from more consistent revenue generation relative to expenses.
Transparency is generally good with regular 990 filings and clear reporting of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. The absence of officer compensation is a notable point of transparency. However, without a clear breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a full assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The foundation's ability to maintain and grow its asset base over time, from $10,739,336 in 2011 to $14,233,860 in 2023, suggests effective asset management despite operational fluctuations.