Quick charity verification for Advertising Research Foundation Inc (EIN: 130417765)
Verdict: Advertising Research Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$12.3MRevenue
$8.8MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Unusually low (0%) reported officer compensation, which may obscure actual executive remuneration.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth, increasing from $7,143,778 in 2020 to $11,181,010 in 2023.
Consistent positive net income, with revenues exceeding expenses in most recent periods.
Significant growth in assets, from $4,794,102 in 2020 to $9,066,561 in 2023, indicating financial health.
Strong financial management demonstrated by consistent surpluses.
Spending Breakdown
How Advertising Research Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 Advertising Research Foundation Inc
Is Advertising Research Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Advertising Research Foundation Inc (EIN: 130417765) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Advertising Research Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Advertising Research Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $12.3M. Assets: $8.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Advertising Research Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Advertising Research Foundation Inc is 130417765. 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 Advertising Research Foundation Inc spend its money?
Advertising Research Foundation Inc allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Advertising Research Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Advertising Research Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 130417765 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 Advertising Research Foundation Inc. demonstrates consistent financial growth over the past five years, with revenue increasing from $7,143,778 in 2020 to $11,181,010 in 2023. The organization consistently operates with a positive net income, as expenses are generally lower than revenue, indicating sound financial management. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $11,181,010 against expenses of $10,820,401, resulting in a surplus. This trend suggests a stable financial position and an ability to cover operational costs.
While specific program spending percentages are not detailed in the provided summary, the consistent surpluses and growth in assets (from $4,794,102 in 2020 to $9,066,561 in 2023) indicate a healthy financial trajectory. The organization's liabilities have also increased in proportion to its assets, but the overall asset growth outpaces liability growth, maintaining a strong equity position. The reported 0% officer compensation across all years is a notable point regarding executive pay, suggesting that top leadership may be compensated through other means or that the organization has a unique compensation structure.
Overall, the Advertising Research Foundation Inc. appears to be in good financial health, with a pattern of increasing revenue and assets. The lack of reported officer compensation is a significant transparency point, though further details on how leadership is compensated would provide a more complete picture. The consistent surpluses suggest efficient spending relative to its revenue generation.