Quick charity verification for Barnabas Fund (EIN: 161711227)
Verdict: Barnabas Fund appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$6.1MRevenue
$1.9MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant historical volatility in assets, dropping from over $3M to under $500K in a few years.
Historically high liabilities, exceeding $4M in multiple years, though recently reduced.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth, with 2023 revenue at $6,820,031.
Expenses consistently lower than revenue in recent years, indicating sound financial management (e.g., 2023 expenses $5,957,549 vs. revenue $6,820,031).
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, demonstrating a strong commitment to program spending.
Significant reduction in liabilities from over $4M to $159,652 in 2023, improving financial stability.
Spending Breakdown
How Barnabas Fund 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 Barnabas Fund
Is Barnabas Fund a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Barnabas Fund (EIN: 161711227) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Barnabas Fund a good charity to donate to?
Barnabas Fund has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $6.1M. Assets: $1.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Barnabas Fund?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Barnabas Fund is 161711227. 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 Barnabas Fund spend its money?
Barnabas Fund allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Barnabas Fund's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Barnabas Fund's tax-exempt status using EIN 161711227 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
Barnabas Fund demonstrates a generally stable financial position with consistent revenue growth over the past several years, peaking at $6,820,031 in 2023. The organization consistently spends less than its revenue, as seen in 2023 where expenses were $5,957,549 against revenue of $6,820,031, indicating sound financial management and the ability to build reserves. However, the organization's assets have fluctuated significantly, from a high of $3,131,019 in 2014 to a low of $454,163 in 2020, before recovering to $765,474 in 2023. This volatility in assets, coupled with historically high liabilities that have only recently decreased, warrants closer examination.
The organization's spending efficiency appears strong, with a significant portion of its budget likely directed towards program services, given the absence of reported officer compensation across all filings. This suggests a lean operational structure at the executive level. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation enhances transparency and indicates a commitment to directing funds towards its mission. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging.
Overall, Barnabas Fund exhibits positive trends in revenue and expense management, with a notable commitment to transparency regarding executive pay. The fluctuating asset base and historical liability levels are areas that could benefit from further clarification to fully understand the organization's long-term financial stability. The recent trend of decreasing liabilities and increasing assets (from 2020 to 2023) is a positive sign.