Quick charity verification for Booth Ferris Foundation (EIN: 136170340)
Verdict: Booth Ferris Foundation appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$44.1MRevenue
$203.2MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent '$1' liability reported without clear explanation
Lack of detail on administrative expenses given 0% officer compensation
Strengths
Strong and stable asset base ($202,435,770 in 2023)
Consistent and significant grant-making activity (e.g., $11,726,873 in expenses in 2023)
Zero reported officer compensation, indicating highly efficient or volunteer-driven leadership
Healthy revenue generation, with peaks like $20,264,625 in 2021
Spending Breakdown
How Booth Ferris Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
95%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Booth Ferris Foundation
Is Booth Ferris Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Booth Ferris Foundation (EIN: 136170340) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Booth Ferris Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Booth Ferris Foundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $44.1M. Assets: $203.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Booth Ferris Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Booth Ferris Foundation is 136170340. 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 Booth Ferris Foundation spend its money?
Booth Ferris Foundation allocates 95% to programs, 5% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Booth Ferris Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Booth Ferris Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 136170340 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 Booth Ferris Foundation demonstrates strong financial health with substantial assets, consistently exceeding $186 million over the past decade and reaching $202,435,770 in 2023. As a grant-making foundation, its primary function is to distribute funds, which is reflected in its expense patterns. The foundation consistently expends significant amounts, with expenses ranging from $10.4 million to $13.3 million annually, indicating active grant-making. Revenue, while fluctuating, has shown periods of strong growth, such as $20,264,625 in 2021 and $19,837,272 in 2014, supporting its long-term asset base. The foundation's transparency is excellent, with no reported officer compensation, suggesting that administrative costs are likely minimal and directly tied to operational expenses rather than executive salaries. The consistent 'Liabilities=$1' across recent filings is unusual and might warrant further investigation to understand its nature, though it's a negligible amount.