Is American Scandinavian Foundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for American Scandinavian Foundation (EIN: 131623897)

Verdict: American Scandinavian Foundation appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score

$8.6MRevenue

$52.9MAssets

2Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

0% officer compensation reported for an organization of this size, which is highly unusual and warrants further investigation into how leadership is compensated.
Expenses exceeded revenue in the latest fiscal period (202306: Revenue=$4,249,826, Expenses=$4,690,011), indicating a deficit for that year, though this can be managed with a strong asset base.

Strengths

Strong and stable asset base, consistently over $48 million, providing financial security (e.g., latest assets $52,870,458).
Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating sound financial management and minimal debt burden (e.g., 2023 liabilities $1,201,188 vs. assets $49,962,523).
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s (13 filings), demonstrating a commitment to transparency.
Long operational history with consistent financial reporting, suggesting organizational longevity and experience.

Spending Breakdown

How American Scandinavian Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

75%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

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 Scandinavian Foundation

Is American Scandinavian Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Scandinavian Foundation (EIN: 131623897) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is American Scandinavian Foundation a good charity to donate to?

American Scandinavian Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $8.6M. Assets: $52.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for American Scandinavian Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for American Scandinavian Foundation is 131623897. 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 Scandinavian Foundation spend its money?

American Scandinavian Foundation allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify American Scandinavian Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify American Scandinavian Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 131623897 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 Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) demonstrates a generally stable financial position with substantial assets, averaging over $50 million in recent years, including the latest reported assets of $52,870,458. While revenue and expenses have fluctuated, the organization has consistently maintained a strong asset base. For instance, in fiscal year 2023, expenses ($4,690,011) slightly exceeded revenue ($4,249,826), indicating a deficit for that period, but this is not uncommon for organizations with significant endowments. The ASF's liabilities have remained relatively low, typically under $2 million, suggesting good financial management and a low debt burden.

The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with 13 filings available, indicating a commitment to public disclosure. A notable aspect of its financial structure is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This suggests that the organization's leadership may be volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation on the 990, which warrants further investigation for a complete understanding of executive remuneration. However, on the surface, it indicates a lean approach to top-level salaries.

To fully assess spending efficiency, a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses would be necessary, which is not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent asset base and relatively low liabilities suggest that the organization is managing its resources effectively to maintain its mission. The fluctuations in revenue and expenses, such as the peak revenue of $6,805,044 in 2022 and the lowest of $3,574,288 in 2021, indicate variability in funding streams, which is typical for many nonprofits.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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