Quick charity verification for Busfield Foundation (EIN: 161468338)
Verdict: Busfield Foundation shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$423KRevenue
$1.1MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent deficit spending (expenses exceeding revenue in most years), indicating reliance on asset drawdowns.
Negative revenue reported in 2022 (-$16,522), which could indicate significant investment losses or unusual financial events.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the summary data makes efficiency analysis difficult.
Strengths
Strong and stable asset base, consistently over $1 million, providing long-term financial security.
Virtually no liabilities reported across all periods, indicating excellent financial solvency.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, suggesting a lean operational structure or volunteer leadership.
Spending Breakdown
How Busfield Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Busfield Foundation
Is Busfield Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Busfield Foundation (EIN: 161468338) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Busfield Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Busfield Foundation has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $423K. Assets: $1.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Busfield Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Busfield Foundation is 161468338. 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 Busfield Foundation spend its money?
Busfield Foundation allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Busfield Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Busfield Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 161468338 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 Busfield Foundation appears to be a private foundation, given its consistent asset base and relatively low revenue and expenses over the past decade. Its financial health is stable, with assets consistently over $1 million, reaching $1,088,150 in 2023. However, the organization has consistently spent more than it has brought in through revenue in most years, such as in 2023 where revenue was $57,981 and expenses were $17,345, or in 2022 where revenue was negative $16,522 and expenses were $91,288. This suggests that the foundation is primarily drawing from its endowment to fund its activities, which is typical for a private foundation.
The spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent deficit spending indicates a reliance on asset drawdowns rather than operational self-sufficiency from annual revenue. Transparency regarding specific program activities and their impact would be beneficial for a more complete understanding of its effectiveness. The consistent 'Officer Comp=0%' across all filings suggests either a volunteer board or compensation is reported under other expense categories, which could impact transparency if not clearly disclosed.
Overall, the foundation maintains a strong asset base, but its operational model relies on drawing from its principal. While this is common for foundations, a clearer picture of how expenses are allocated would enhance the assessment of its spending efficiency and program focus. The lack of liabilities ($1 or $0) across all reported periods indicates a very healthy balance sheet from a debt perspective.