Is American Foundation For The Blind Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for American Foundation For The Blind Inc (EIN: 135562161)

Verdict: American Foundation For The Blind Inc appears trustworthy

75/100Mission Score
$25.4MRevenue
$35.1MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths

Red Flags

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How American Foundation For The Blind 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 American Foundation For The Blind Inc

Is American Foundation For The Blind Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Foundation For The Blind Inc (EIN: 135562161) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is American Foundation For The Blind Inc a good charity to donate to?

American Foundation For The Blind Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $25.4M. Assets: $35.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for American Foundation For The Blind Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for American Foundation For The Blind Inc is 135562161. 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 American Foundation For The Blind Inc spend its money?

American Foundation For The Blind Inc allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify American Foundation For The Blind Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify American Foundation For The Blind Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 135562161 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 American Foundation For The Blind Inc demonstrates a fluctuating financial performance over the past decade. While the organization reported a significant increase in revenue to $14,945,621 in 2022, followed by a decrease to $8,578,565 in 2023, its assets have generally shown a declining trend from $38,497,903 in 2014 to $28,748,418 in 2023. This suggests a need for careful management of its endowment or investment strategies to ensure long-term stability. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. Spending efficiency appears to be a mixed bag. In several years, expenses exceeded revenue, such as in 2020 ($12,450,010 expenses vs. $9,027,415 revenue) and 2019 ($11,172,976 expenses vs. $8,904,728 revenue), indicating reliance on reserves or prior year surpluses. However, more recent years like 2023 ($7,725,003 expenses vs. $8,578,565 revenue) show a positive operating margin. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a significant strength in terms of transparency and resource allocation. Overall, the organization exhibits good transparency regarding executive compensation. However, the fluctuating revenue and declining asset base over the long term warrant closer examination of its fundraising strategies and financial sustainability. The recent positive operating margins in 2022 and 2023 are encouraging, but the overall trend in assets suggests a need for strategic financial planning.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.

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