Is Brooklyn Community Foundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for Brooklyn Community Foundation (EIN: 113422729)

Verdict: Brooklyn Community Foundation appears trustworthy

90/100Mission Score

$90.3MRevenue

$142.0MAssets

1Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

Unusually low (0%) reported officer compensation, which may obscure actual executive remuneration if categorized elsewhere.

Strengths

Consistent growth in assets, reaching $141,980,553, indicating strong financial management and long-term sustainability.
Very low liabilities relative to assets, demonstrating excellent financial health and minimal debt burden.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting a strong commitment to directing funds to mission-related activities.
Significant asset base provides a strong foundation for sustained grantmaking and community impact.

Spending Breakdown

How Brooklyn Community Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Brooklyn Community Foundation

Is Brooklyn Community Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Brooklyn Community Foundation (EIN: 113422729) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Brooklyn Community Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Brooklyn Community Foundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $90.3M. Assets: $142.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Brooklyn Community Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Brooklyn Community Foundation is 113422729. 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 Brooklyn Community Foundation spend its money?

Brooklyn Community Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Brooklyn Community Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Brooklyn Community Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 113422729 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 Brooklyn Community Foundation demonstrates a generally strong financial position, with assets consistently growing over the past decade, reaching $141,980,553 in the latest available data. Revenue has shown significant fluctuations, with a notable peak of $42,787,989 in 202106 and a more recent dip to $8,708,861 in 202306, indicating reliance on varied funding cycles or large one-time contributions. The organization's liabilities remain very low relative to its assets, suggesting good financial management and stability. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is a significant indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries, which is a strong positive for donor confidence.

While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the overall expense figures have increased in line with the organization's growth. For instance, expenses rose from $4,555,352 in 201412 to $23,057,208 in 202306. The substantial increase in expenses in 202306 ($23,057,208) compared to revenue ($8,708,861) suggests a period of significant grantmaking or investment in programs, potentially drawing from accumulated assets or prior year's revenue. This spending pattern, especially when liabilities are low, can indicate strategic deployment of resources. The foundation's consistent growth in assets, even during periods of lower revenue, points to effective endowment management and long-term financial planning.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.