Quick charity verification for Alison Foundation (EIN: 200226054)
Verdict: Alison Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$3.5MRevenue
$22.9MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
0% officer compensation reported for an organization with over $20 million in assets, which is highly unusual and warrants further investigation into leadership compensation structures.
Consistent growth in assets, from $7,011,187 in 2011 to $21,129,227 in 2023, demonstrating strong financial management.
Expenses consistently lower than revenue in most years, contributing to asset accumulation.
Extremely low reported liabilities ($1 across all filings), indicating a very healthy balance sheet and minimal debt.
Strong financial stability with a substantial asset base relative to annual expenses.
Spending Breakdown
How Alison Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Alison Foundation
Is Alison Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Alison Foundation (EIN: 200226054) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Alison Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Alison Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $3.5M. Assets: $22.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Alison Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Alison Foundation is 200226054. 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 Alison Foundation spend its money?
Alison Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Alison Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Alison Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200226054 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 Alison Foundation demonstrates a consistent pattern of financial stability and growth in assets over the past decade, increasing from $7,011,187 in 2011 to $21,129,227 in 2023. Revenue has fluctuated significantly year-to-year, with a high of $5,261,191 in 2015 and a low of $478,995 in 2011, indicating potential reliance on large, infrequent donations or grants. Despite these fluctuations, the organization has consistently maintained expenses well below revenue in most years, contributing to its substantial asset accumulation. For example, in 2023, revenue was $1,855,976 against expenses of $1,350,405.
The organization's spending efficiency appears strong, as evidenced by the consistent growth in assets and the fact that expenses are generally lower than revenue. A key indicator of transparency and good governance is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting that executive leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation on the 990, which warrants further investigation for a complete picture. The minimal liabilities reported ($1 across all filings) also points to a very healthy balance sheet and low financial risk.
Overall, the Alison Foundation appears to be a financially sound organization with a strong balance sheet and a history of accumulating assets. The lack of reported officer compensation is a notable point for transparency, suggesting either a highly volunteer-driven leadership or a need for more detailed disclosure on how leadership is compensated if at all. The consistent growth in assets, despite variable revenue, indicates effective financial management and a focus on long-term sustainability.