Quick charity verification for Bonfire Foundation (EIN: 134039331)
Verdict: Bonfire Foundation has notable concerns
35/100Mission Score
$553KRevenue
$1.1MAssets
4Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits for over a decade (e.g., 2023: Revenue $44,384, Expenses $136,637).
Significant and continuous decline in total assets (from $2,030,097 in 2011 to $1,194,471 in 2023).
Revenue has been negative in some past periods (e.g., -$373,380 in 2011), indicating potential financial instability or unusual accounting events.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program vs. admin vs. fundraising) in the provided data makes efficiency assessment difficult.
Strengths
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, indicating a commitment to regulatory transparency.
Minimal reported liabilities ($0 or $1 across all filings), suggesting good debt management.
No reported officer compensation, which could indicate a volunteer-driven leadership or efficient use of funds if compensation is truly absent.
Spending Breakdown
How Bonfire Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
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 Bonfire Foundation
Is Bonfire Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bonfire Foundation (EIN: 134039331) has notable concerns. Mission Score: 35/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Bonfire Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Bonfire Foundation has a Mission Score of 35/100. Revenue: $553K. Assets: $1.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Bonfire Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Bonfire Foundation is 134039331. 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 Bonfire Foundation spend its money?
Bonfire Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Bonfire Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Bonfire Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 134039331 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 Bonfire Foundation exhibits a concerning trend of declining financial health over the past decade. While the organization maintains substantial assets, these have steadily decreased from over $2 million in 2011 to $1.19 million in 2023. More critically, the foundation has consistently operated at a deficit, with expenses significantly exceeding revenue in every reported period. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $44,384 against expenses of $136,637, indicating a substantial operational loss. This pattern suggests an unsustainable financial model where the organization is drawing down its asset base to cover ongoing operations.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which is not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent operational deficits raise questions about the long-term viability and efficiency of resource allocation. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests either a fully volunteer-run leadership or that compensation is reported under other expense categories, which could impact transparency.
In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s is a positive indicator. However, the lack of specific NTEE code and detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data limits a comprehensive assessment of how funds are being utilized. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities ($0 or $1) is a positive sign regarding debt management, but the overall financial trajectory points to significant challenges in achieving financial sustainability.