Quick charity verification for Bostonian Foundation Inc (EIN: 201897201)
Verdict: Bostonian Foundation Inc has notable concerns
35/100Mission Score
$764KRevenue
$4.6MAssets
5Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits (e.g., $224,094 in 2023, $481,300 in 2022).
High and increasing liabilities significantly exceeding assets (e.g., $10,969,995 liabilities vs. $4,942,907 assets in 2023).
Significant decline in assets over the past decade (from $7.7M in 2014 to $4.9M in 2023).
Lack of detailed expense breakdown to assess program efficiency.
Long-term financial unsustainability indicated by persistent deficits and debt.
Strengths
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, indicating compliance with reporting requirements.
No reported officer compensation, which could indicate a volunteer-led executive team (though further clarity is needed).
Spending Breakdown
How Bostonian Foundation Inc 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 Bostonian Foundation Inc
Is Bostonian Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bostonian Foundation Inc (EIN: 201897201) has notable concerns. Mission Score: 35/100. 5 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Bostonian Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Bostonian Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 35/100. Revenue: $764K. Assets: $4.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Bostonian Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Bostonian Foundation Inc is 201897201. 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 Bostonian Foundation Inc spend its money?
Bostonian Foundation Inc allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Bostonian Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Bostonian Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 201897201 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 Bostonian Foundation Inc. exhibits a concerning financial trend, consistently spending more than it generates in revenue. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $974,342 against revenues of $750,248, resulting in a deficit of over $224,000. This pattern is not isolated, as evidenced by the 2022 figures where expenses ($980,489) significantly outstripped revenue ($499,189). Over the past decade, the organization has consistently operated at a deficit, leading to a substantial decline in assets from $7,720,038 in 2014 to $4,942,907 in 2023. Simultaneously, liabilities have remained very high, consistently exceeding $9 million and reaching $10,969,995 in 2023, far surpassing its assets. This indicates a precarious financial position where the organization is heavily reliant on debt or other long-term obligations.
Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's difficult to fully assess. However, the consistent operating deficits suggest that overall spending is not aligned with revenue generation. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates either a volunteer-led executive team or compensation is structured in a way that isn't reported as officer compensation on the 990, which could be a point of further inquiry for transparency. The significant and growing liabilities relative to declining assets are a major red flag for long-term sustainability.