Quick charity verification for Aja Foundation (EIN: 202054545)
Verdict: Aja Foundation shows mixed signals
55/100Mission Score
$54.5MRevenue
$19.6MAssets
4Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits, with expenses significantly exceeding revenue in recent years (e.g., 2023 revenue $9,835 vs. expenses $1,349,772).
Increasing liabilities, reaching $4,620,855 in 2023, without clear corresponding revenue growth.
Significant discrepancy between 'latest revenue' ($54,532,828) and the most recent filing's revenue ($9,835), requiring clarification.
Negative revenue reported in 2021 ($-833,297), which is unusual and warrants explanation.
Strengths
Accumulation of substantial assets, reaching $19,599,151, indicating a strong financial base.
No reported officer compensation, suggesting a potentially volunteer-driven leadership or efficient use of funds at the executive level.
Long filing history (10 filings), indicating consistent reporting to the IRS.
Spending Breakdown
How Aja Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
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 Aja Foundation
Is Aja Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Aja Foundation (EIN: 202054545) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Aja Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Aja Foundation has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $54.5M. Assets: $19.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Aja Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Aja Foundation is 202054545. 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 Aja Foundation spend its money?
Aja Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Aja Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Aja Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 202054545 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
Aja Foundation exhibits a concerning financial trend with consistent operating deficits in recent years, particularly notable in 2023 and 2022 where expenses significantly outstripped revenue. For instance, in 2023, the organization reported revenue of only $9,835 against expenses of $1,349,772. This pattern suggests a reliance on existing assets or other funding sources not reflected in annual revenue figures to cover operational costs. While the organization's assets have grown over time, reaching $18,825,671 in 2023, the increasing liabilities, peaking at $4,620,855 in 2023, warrant closer scrutiny. The lack of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates either a volunteer-led executive team or compensation being reported under different categories, which could impact transparency regarding leadership costs. The significant discrepancy between the latest reported revenue of $54,532,828 and the 2023 filing's $9,835 revenue also raises questions about the timing and nature of large income streams.