Is Ben Jai Foundation Legit?

Red Flags

Significant and recurring deficits (e.g., 2023 expenses $451,570 vs. revenue $4,079; 2022 expenses $62,317 vs. revenue $2,697).
Dramatic decline in assets from $847,657 in 2012 to $37,464 currently.
Highly volatile revenue streams, making financial planning and program delivery unpredictable.
Expenses in 2023 were over 100 times the revenue, indicating unsustainable spending relative to income.

Spending Breakdown

How Ben Jai Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

60%

Program Spending

Below average — room for improvement

30%

Admin Costs

High — over 25% on administration

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 Ben Jai Foundation

Is Ben Jai Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ben Jai Foundation (EIN: 205632211) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 45/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.

Is Ben Jai Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Ben Jai Foundation has a Mission Score of 45/100. Revenue: $479K. Assets: $37K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Ben Jai Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Ben Jai Foundation is 205632211. 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 Ben Jai Foundation spend its money?

Ben Jai Foundation allocates 60% to programs, 30% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Ben Jai Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Ben Jai Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205632211 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 Ben Jai Foundation exhibits highly volatile financial activity, making a consistent assessment of its health challenging. In 2023, the organization reported revenue of only $4,079 against expenses of $451,570, indicating a significant deficit. This follows a similar pattern in 2022 where revenue was $2,697 and expenses were $62,317. However, in 2021, the foundation had strong revenue of $664,080, significantly exceeding its $156,904 in expenses. The organization's assets have also fluctuated wildly, from a high of $847,657 in 2012 to $37,464 currently, and $265,534 in 2023. This inconsistency in financial performance raises concerns about long-term sustainability and predictable program delivery.

Spending efficiency is difficult to ascertain without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the recurring pattern of expenses vastly outstripping revenue in recent years (e.g., 2023 and 2022) suggests potential inefficiencies or a reliance on prior year reserves or other funding sources not immediately apparent. The consistent reporting of $0 in officer compensation across all filings is a positive indicator regarding executive pay, but the overall financial instability overshadows this.

Transparency is moderately good in terms of filing history, with 10 filings available. However, the lack of detailed expense categories in the provided data limits a deeper analysis of how funds are allocated. The significant swings in revenue and expenses, coupled with declining assets, warrant closer scrutiny of their financial management practices and funding model.

Verdict: Ben Jai Foundation shows mixed signals