Quick charity verification for Bernard Family Foundation (EIN: 203850421)
Verdict: Bernard Family Foundation appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$2.6MRevenue
$4.2MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent deficit spending in recent years (e.g., $161,981 revenue vs. $327,962 expenses in 2023).
Declining asset base from $5.4 million in 2019 to $4.7 million in 2023, likely due to spending exceeding revenue.
Strengths
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating transparency and compliance.
Stable and substantial asset base (over $4 million) providing financial security despite recent deficits.
Minimal liabilities ($1 across all periods) indicating strong financial management of debt.
Spending Breakdown
How Bernard Family Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
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 Bernard Family Foundation
Is Bernard Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bernard Family Foundation (EIN: 203850421) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Bernard Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Bernard Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $2.6M. Assets: $4.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Bernard Family Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Bernard Family Foundation is 203850421. 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 Bernard Family Foundation spend its money?
Bernard Family Foundation allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Bernard Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Bernard Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 203850421 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 Bernard Family Foundation demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its NTEE code T20 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations). While the foundation's revenue has fluctuated significantly over the years, from a low of $-24,884 in 2019 to a high of $1,282,148 in 2015, its asset base has remained relatively stable, hovering around $4-5 million. This stability, coupled with minimal liabilities ($1 across all reported periods), suggests a financially secure organization. However, the foundation has consistently spent more than it has brought in during recent years, with expenses exceeding revenue in every filing since 2019, including $327,962 in expenses against $161,981 in revenue in 2023. This trend of deficit spending, while potentially sustainable for a foundation with a substantial endowment, warrants closer examination to ensure long-term financial health.
The organization's transparency is strong regarding executive compensation, reporting 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This indicates that the foundation's leadership is either unpaid or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which is a positive sign for donor confidence. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 11 periods also demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance and public disclosure. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency. The consistent net losses in recent years, such as the $166,000 deficit in 2023, suggest that the foundation is drawing down its assets to cover operational costs, which could impact its future grantmaking capacity if not addressed.