Quick charity verification for Carmichael Foundation (EIN: 206744052)
Verdict: Carmichael Foundation appears trustworthy
88/100Mission Score
$400KRevenue
$2.9MAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program vs. admin vs. fundraising) in provided data makes precise efficiency assessment difficult.
No reported officer compensation, which, while efficient, can sometimes indicate reliance on external entities or unreported benefits.
Strengths
Consistent asset growth, indicating strong financial stewardship (from $494,241 in 2011 to $2,769,568 in 2023).
Very low expenses relative to revenue, suggesting high operational efficiency (e.g., 2023 expenses were 43% of revenue, 2022 expenses were 22% of revenue).
No reported officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-driven or highly cost-conscious leadership.
Minimal liabilities across all reporting periods, demonstrating sound financial health and low debt.
Long history of IRS 990 filings, showing commitment to transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Carmichael 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
5%
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 Carmichael Foundation
Is Carmichael Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Carmichael Foundation (EIN: 206744052) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 88/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Carmichael Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Carmichael Foundation has a Mission Score of 88/100. Revenue: $400K. Assets: $2.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Carmichael Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Carmichael Foundation is 206744052. 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 Carmichael Foundation spend its money?
Carmichael Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Carmichael Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Carmichael Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 206744052 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 Carmichael Foundation demonstrates strong financial health and consistent growth in assets over the past decade, increasing from $494,241 in 2011 to $2,769,568 in 2023. The organization consistently reports very low expenses relative to its revenue, indicating efficient operations and a focus on building its endowment or reserves. For example, in 2023, expenses were $137,581 against revenue of $318,689, and in 2022, expenses were $110,140 against revenue of $504,492. This pattern suggests that a significant portion of its revenue is not immediately spent but rather retained, which is typical for a foundation that might be making grants or building long-term capacity.
The foundation's spending efficiency appears high, with expenses consistently representing a small fraction of its revenue. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a volunteer-led or very lean administrative structure, further contributing to efficiency. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses (e.g., program services vs. administrative vs. fundraising) within the provided data, it's challenging to precisely assess the program spending ratio. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities also points to sound financial management and low financial risk.
Regarding transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a long period (10 filings) demonstrates a commitment to public disclosure. The lack of reported officer compensation enhances transparency by showing that leadership is not drawing salaries from the organization. To further enhance transparency, a more detailed breakdown of how the relatively low expenses are allocated (e.g., specific program grants made) would be beneficial for external stakeholders.