Quick charity verification for Boylston Family Foundation (EIN: 201366281)
Verdict: Boylston Family Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$135KRevenue
$178KAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent decline in total assets over the past decade, from $307,009 in 2011 to $187,409 in 2023, indicating expenses often exceed revenue.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, demonstrating volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds.
Consistently low liabilities ($0 or $1) across all periods, indicating sound financial management and no debt.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, providing good transparency into financial operations.
Stable operations with expenses generally aligned with revenue, preventing significant financial instability.
Spending Breakdown
How Boylston Family Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Boylston Family Foundation
Is Boylston Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Boylston Family Foundation (EIN: 201366281) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Boylston Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Boylston Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $135K. Assets: $178K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Boylston Family Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Boylston Family Foundation is 201366281. 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 Boylston Family Foundation spend its money?
Boylston Family Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Boylston Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Boylston Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 201366281 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 Boylston Family Foundation demonstrates consistent financial activity typical of a private family foundation, with revenues and expenses fluctuating year-to-year. For example, in 2023, revenue was $58,700 against expenses of $55,196, indicating a relatively balanced budget for that period. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds, as all resources can be directed towards its mission. However, the foundation's assets have shown a declining trend over the past decade, from $307,009 in 2011 to $187,409 in 2023, suggesting that expenses have often outpaced revenue or that significant distributions have been made from the principal.
Given its NTEE code T22 (Private Grantmaking Foundations), the primary 'program' activity would be grantmaking. Without detailed expense breakdowns beyond total expenses, it's challenging to precisely determine the efficiency of its grantmaking versus administrative costs. However, the consistent reporting of minimal liabilities ($0 or $1) across all filings indicates sound financial management and a lack of debt. The foundation's transparency is good through its consistent 990 filings, which are publicly available and show a clear financial history.
Overall, the foundation appears to be a well-managed entity with a focus on its mission, as evidenced by the lack of executive compensation and low liabilities. The declining asset base warrants attention, but for a private foundation, this could be a deliberate strategy of distributing capital over time. Its financial health is stable, operating within its means, though not significantly growing its endowment.