Quick charity verification for Andrew W Mellon Foundation (EIN: 131879954)
Verdict: Andrew W Mellon Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$2.2BRevenue
$7.8BAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeding revenue in recent fiscal years (2022: $688.7M expenses vs $320.7M revenue; 2023: $654.0M expenses vs $450.4M revenue).
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, which may obscure actual executive remuneration.
Strengths
Substantial and growing asset base, reaching over $8 billion in 2023, indicating strong financial stability.
Long-term history of significant grant-making and programmatic activity, aligning with its mission.
Consistent financial reporting over a decade, demonstrating transparency in filing.
Spending Breakdown
How Andrew W Mellon Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
8%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
2%
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 Andrew W Mellon Foundation
Is Andrew W Mellon Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Andrew W Mellon Foundation (EIN: 131879954) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Andrew W Mellon Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Andrew W Mellon Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $2.2B. Assets: $7.8B. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Andrew W Mellon Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Andrew W Mellon Foundation is 131879954. 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 Andrew W Mellon Foundation spend its money?
Andrew W Mellon Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 8% to administration, and 2% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Andrew W Mellon Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Andrew W Mellon Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 131879954 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 Andrew W Mellon Foundation demonstrates a strong commitment to its programmatic mission, as evidenced by its consistent and substantial program spending. While the provided data does not detail the exact breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, the foundation's primary function as a grant-making entity suggests that the vast majority of its expenditures are directed towards its charitable purposes. The foundation's assets have shown significant growth over the past decade, from $5.26 billion in 2011 to over $8 billion in 2023, indicating robust financial health and investment management. However, recent years (2022 and 2023) show expenses exceeding revenue, with expenses of $688.7 million and $654.0 million respectively against revenues of $320.7 million and $450.4 million. This trend, while potentially part of a strategic spending plan for a large endowment, warrants closer examination to understand its long-term sustainability and impact on the foundation's asset base. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests that executive compensation is either not reported in this field or is handled through other means, which could be a point of further inquiry for complete transparency.