Is C A L Foundation Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for C A L Foundation Inc (EIN: 136083347)

Verdict: C A L Foundation Inc appears trustworthy

90/100Mission Score

$4.1MRevenue

$6.3MAssets

3Red Flags

5Strengths

Red Flags

Highly fluctuating annual revenue, indicating potential funding instability or reliance on large, infrequent grants.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data, limiting granular efficiency analysis.
Consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities across all years, which is unusual and might indicate a simplified reporting practice rather than actual liability status.

Strengths

Consistent asset growth, increasing from $2.39M in 2011 to $5.24M in 2023.
Extremely low liabilities ($1 reported consistently), indicating strong financial health and minimal debt.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting a strong commitment to mission-focused spending.
Generally operates with a surplus, contributing to asset accumulation and financial stability.
Consistent filing of IRS 990s, demonstrating good transparency.

Spending Breakdown

How C A L Foundation Inc 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 C A L Foundation Inc

Is C A L Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, C A L Foundation Inc (EIN: 136083347) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 3 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is C A L Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?

C A L Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $4.1M. Assets: $6.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for C A L Foundation Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for C A L Foundation Inc is 136083347. 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 C A L Foundation Inc spend its money?

C A L Foundation Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify C A L Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify C A L Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 136083347 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

C A L Foundation Inc demonstrates a generally healthy financial position with consistent asset growth over the past decade, increasing from $2,393,769 in 2011 to $5,242,273 in 2023. The organization consistently reports minimal liabilities ($1), indicating strong financial stability and low debt risk. Revenue has fluctuated significantly year-to-year, with a peak of $1,799,470 in 2021 and a low of $169,017 in 2012, suggesting reliance on variable funding sources. However, expenses have generally been well-managed relative to revenue, with the organization often operating with a surplus, contributing to its asset accumulation.

The organization's spending efficiency appears strong, as evidenced by its consistent operational surpluses in most years. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $542,910 against expenses of $511,711, resulting in a surplus. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries, which is a positive sign for donor confidence. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency across these categories is limited. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities ($1) across all filings is a notable strength, indicating excellent financial management and a low-risk profile.

Transparency is good regarding overall financial health, with consistent filing of IRS Form 990s and clear reporting of revenue, expenses, assets, and liabilities. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a strong indicator of transparency and a focus on mission. However, the lack of detailed expense breakdowns (e.g., program vs. administrative vs. fundraising) in the provided data limits a deeper analysis of how funds are allocated. This makes it challenging to fully assess the proportion of funds directly supporting programs versus overhead. Despite this, the overall financial picture suggests a well-managed and fiscally responsible organization.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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