Quick charity verification for Better Than Ezra Foundation (EIN: 208014826)
Verdict: Better Than Ezra Foundation appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant and consistent decline in annual revenue from $91,973 in 2020 to $5,136 in 2023.
Expenses frequently exceeded revenue in prior years (e.g., 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014), indicating potential reliance on reserves or inconsistent financial planning.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds for mission-related activities rather than executive salaries.
Maintained positive assets ($46,366 in 2023) despite fluctuating revenues and expenses.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history demonstrates transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Better Than Ezra Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Better Than Ezra Foundation
Is Better Than Ezra Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Better Than Ezra Foundation (EIN: 208014826) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Better Than Ezra Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Better Than Ezra Foundation has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Better Than Ezra Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Better Than Ezra Foundation is 208014826. 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 Better Than Ezra Foundation spend its money?
Better Than Ezra Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Better Than Ezra Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Better Than Ezra Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 208014826 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 Better Than Ezra Foundation exhibits inconsistent financial activity over the past decade, with revenues fluctuating significantly from a high of $144,630 in 2014 to a low of $5,136 in 2023. While the organization generally maintains positive assets, reaching $46,366 in 2023, its revenue has seen a sharp decline in recent years, particularly from $91,973 in 2020 to $5,136 in 2023. Expenses have also varied, sometimes exceeding revenue, such as in 2021 where expenses were $45,094 against revenues of $39,350, and more recently in 2023 where expenses were $2,091 against revenues of $5,136. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence regarding executive pay.
The foundation's financial health appears to be in a period of contraction, with both revenue and expenses significantly lower in the most recent filing compared to historical averages. Despite this, the organization has maintained a modest asset base. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all available filings suggests a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The overall trend suggests a smaller operational footprint in recent years.
Transparency is generally good given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s. The absence of officer compensation is a strong point for transparency. However, the lack of detailed expense categories in the provided data limits a deeper analysis of how funds are allocated between programs, administration, and fundraising. Further scrutiny of the full 990 forms would be necessary to fully understand the allocation of the reported expenses.