Is California Foundation For Stronger Communities Legit?
Quick charity verification for California Foundation For Stronger Communities (EIN: 201508498)
Verdict: California Foundation For Stronger Communities appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$5.3MRevenue
$30KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistently low assets relative to high revenue, indicating minimal reserves.
Zero reported officer compensation, which is unusual for an organization of this scale and warrants further inquiry into operational structure.
Strengths
Extremely high program spending efficiency, with expenses closely matching revenue.
No reported officer compensation, suggesting a strong commitment to mission-focused spending.
Consistent growth in revenue over the past decade, from $959,346 in 2014 to $5,263,873 currently.
Spending Breakdown
How California Foundation For Stronger Communities allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
99%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
1%
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 California Foundation For Stronger Communities
Is California Foundation For Stronger Communities a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, California Foundation For Stronger Communities (EIN: 201508498) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is California Foundation For Stronger Communities a good charity to donate to?
California Foundation For Stronger Communities has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $5.3M. Assets: $30K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for California Foundation For Stronger Communities?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for California Foundation For Stronger Communities is 201508498. 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 California Foundation For Stronger Communities spend its money?
California Foundation For Stronger Communities allocates 99% to programs, 1% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify California Foundation For Stronger Communities's tax-exempt status?
You can verify California Foundation For Stronger Communities's tax-exempt status using EIN 201508498 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 California Foundation For Stronger Communities demonstrates consistent financial activity with revenues closely matching expenses across all reported periods, indicating a pass-through or grant-making operational model. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $4,656,258 and expenses were $4,652,731, leaving a very small surplus. This pattern is observed throughout its filing history, suggesting efficient deployment of funds received. However, the organization's assets are consistently very low relative to its revenue, such as $29,887 in assets against $5,263,873 in latest revenue, which could indicate minimal reserves or a rapid distribution of funds. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings is a significant positive indicator of financial transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. This also suggests that the organization may be volunteer-led or has its executive compensation covered by an affiliated entity, which would warrant further investigation for complete transparency.