Quick charity verification for Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation (EIN: 202923902)
Verdict: Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$398KRevenue
$16KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses frequently exceed revenue, leading to asset depletion (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014).
Low asset base relative to annual revenue, indicating limited financial cushion.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds.
Consistently reports zero liabilities, demonstrating sound debt management.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), suggesting consistent operation and transparency.
Lean operational structure, likely maximizing direct program impact.
Spending Breakdown
How Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation
Is Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation (EIN: 202923902) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $398K. Assets: $16K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation is 202923902. 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 Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation spend its money?
Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 202923902 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 Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses generally in the range of $260,000 to $400,000 annually over the past decade. The organization maintains a lean operational structure, as evidenced by its relatively low asset base, which stood at $16,021 in the latest period and has fluctuated between approximately $6,000 and $68,000. A notable strength is the complete absence of officer compensation reported across all available filings, indicating that leadership serves on a volunteer basis, which is a strong positive for donor confidence and efficient use of funds. The organization consistently reports zero liabilities, suggesting sound financial management and a lack of debt. While specific program spending ratios are not provided in the raw data, the lack of officer compensation implies a high proportion of funds likely go directly to its mission.
However, the foundation has experienced periods where expenses exceeded revenue, such as in 2023 ($333,412 expenses vs. $321,459 revenue) and 2022 ($405,108 expenses vs. $355,081 revenue), leading to a reduction in assets. This trend, if sustained, could impact long-term stability, although the asset base remains positive. The organization's transparency is high regarding executive compensation, as none is reported. Further insight into spending efficiency would benefit from a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which is not explicitly available in the provided summary data. Overall, the foundation appears to be a community-focused organization operating with minimal overhead.