Is Barnard College Legit?

Strengths

Strong asset growth, exceeding $1 billion in the latest period ($1,064,400,513).
Consistent revenue generation, with latest revenue at $413,975,901.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), indicating good transparency.
Positive net assets, with assets significantly exceeding liabilities ($1,002,232,126 vs $312,338,743 in 202306).
Generally well-managed expenses relative to revenue, as seen in the 202306 period where expenses ($313,255,277) were close to revenue ($313,721,507).

Spending Breakdown

How Barnard College allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Barnard College

Is Barnard College a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Barnard College (EIN: 131628149) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Barnard College a good charity to donate to?

Barnard College has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $414.0M. Assets: $1.1B. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Barnard College?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Barnard College is 131628149. 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 Barnard College spend its money?

Barnard College allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Barnard College's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Barnard College's tax-exempt status using EIN 131628149 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

Barnard College demonstrates a generally stable financial position with consistent revenue generation and asset growth over the past decade. In the latest filing (202306), the organization reported revenues of $313,721,507 against expenses of $313,255,277, indicating a near break-even operational year. The college's assets have steadily increased, reaching over $1 billion in the latest period, suggesting strong financial stewardship and investment in its long-term mission. While specific breakdowns for program, administrative, and fundraising expenses are not provided in the summary data, the overall financial health appears robust, supporting its educational objectives.

The organization's financial transparency is commendable, with 13 years of consistent IRS 990 filings available. The consistent reporting of 'Officer Comp=0%' across all provided periods is noteworthy, though it typically indicates that compensation for officers is reported elsewhere in the 990 (e.g., as part of salaries and wages) rather than a complete absence of executive compensation. Further detailed analysis of the full 990 forms would be required to fully assess spending efficiency ratios and the specifics of executive compensation.

Barnard College's substantial asset base of $1,064,400,513 and consistent revenue streams position it well for sustained operations and future growth. The organization's ability to manage expenses in line with revenue, as seen in the 202306 period, suggests prudent financial management. The significant growth in assets from $500,764,847 in 201406 to over $1 billion in 202306 highlights successful fundraising and investment strategies, contributing to its long-term financial stability.

Verdict: Barnard College appears trustworthy