Quick charity verification for Benter Foundation (EIN: 208807953)
Verdict: Benter Foundation appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$3.5MRevenue
$186KAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant year-to-year volatility in revenue and expenses, which could make long-term planning challenging if not managed strategically.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation, ensuring all funds are directed to programmatic activities.
Extremely low liabilities ($1 across all filings), indicating strong financial health and minimal debt.
Long-term growth in assets, demonstrating financial sustainability and accumulation.
High program spending efficiency due to zero executive compensation.
Spending Breakdown
How Benter 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 Benter Foundation
Is Benter Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Benter Foundation (EIN: 208807953) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Benter Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Benter Foundation has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $3.5M. Assets: $186K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Benter Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Benter Foundation is 208807953. 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 Benter Foundation spend its money?
Benter Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 8% to administration, and 2% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Benter Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Benter Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 208807953 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 Benter Foundation demonstrates a consistent commitment to its programmatic mission, as evidenced by its 0% officer compensation across all reported periods. This indicates that all available funds are directed towards the organization's charitable activities rather than executive salaries, which is a strong positive for donor confidence and operational efficiency. The foundation's liabilities consistently being reported as $1 across all filings suggests a very healthy financial position with minimal debt burden, further reinforcing its stability.
However, the foundation exhibits significant year-to-year fluctuations in both revenue and expenses, with revenue ranging from $365,114 in 2020 to $6,190,163 in 2022. While expenses generally track revenue, there have been periods, such as 2021 and 2020, where expenses significantly outstripped revenue, leading to a draw on assets. For instance, in 2021, expenses were $4,597,835 against revenue of $2,919,006. This volatility, while not necessarily a red flag for a foundation that might distribute large grants, warrants closer examination to understand the underlying funding and spending strategies.
Despite these fluctuations, the foundation's assets have generally grown over time, from $46,874 in 2011 to $186,310 currently, indicating a long-term positive trend in financial accumulation. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities and zero officer compensation are strong indicators of financial health and transparency, suggesting a well-managed organization focused on its mission.