Quick charity verification for Carl Marks Foundation Inc (EIN: 136169215)
Verdict: Carl Marks Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$651KRevenue
$10.5MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant fluctuations in annual revenue and expenses, though typical for foundations, require deeper analysis of investment performance and grant strategy.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, maximizing funds for charitable purposes.
Extremely low liabilities (consistently $1), indicating strong financial health and minimal debt.
Maintains a substantial asset base ($10,520,453), ensuring long-term sustainability for grant-making.
Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms, demonstrating good transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Carl Marks Foundation Inc 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 Carl Marks Foundation Inc
Is Carl Marks Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Carl Marks Foundation Inc (EIN: 136169215) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Carl Marks Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Carl Marks Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $651K. Assets: $10.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Carl Marks Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Carl Marks Foundation Inc is 136169215. 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 Carl Marks Foundation Inc spend its money?
Carl Marks Foundation Inc allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Carl Marks Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Carl Marks Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 136169215 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 Carl Marks Foundation Inc. demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission through its financial operations, primarily functioning as a grant-making private foundation. Over the past decade, the organization has maintained a healthy asset base, with current assets at $10,520,453, indicating long-term stability. Its liabilities have consistently been minimal, often reported as just $1, which is a strong indicator of financial health and low risk. The foundation's revenue and expenses fluctuate year-to-year, typical for an organization reliant on investment income and making grants, but it consistently expends significant amounts towards its charitable purposes.
Spending efficiency appears high given the nature of a private foundation, where the primary 'program' activity is grant-making. The absence of officer compensation across all reported periods is a significant positive for spending efficiency, as it means all operational expenses are directed towards administrative and fundraising activities necessary to facilitate grant distribution, rather than executive salaries. This structure inherently maximizes the proportion of funds available for charitable distributions.
Transparency is generally good, with consistent IRS 990 filings available. The lack of officer compensation simplifies the analysis of executive pay, effectively making it a non-issue. The foundation's consistent filing history and minimal liabilities contribute to a clear financial picture, allowing stakeholders to easily assess its financial stewardship.