Is Castanea Foundation Inc Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Castanea Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

70%

Program Spending

Below average — room for improvement

20%

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 Castanea Foundation Inc

Is Castanea Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Castanea Foundation Inc (EIN: 202727759) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 45/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.

Is Castanea Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?

Castanea Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 45/100. Revenue: $153K. Assets: $5.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Castanea Foundation Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Castanea Foundation Inc is 202727759. 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 Castanea Foundation Inc spend its money?

Castanea Foundation Inc allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Castanea Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Castanea Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 202727759 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

Castanea Foundation Inc. exhibits a concerning financial trend with consistent negative revenues in recent years, such as -$75,698 in 2022 and -$83,951 in 2021, indicating a reliance on asset drawdowns rather than sustainable income generation. While the organization reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting good stewardship in that area, its overall financial health is questionable given the significant and repeated deficits. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $848,809 against a revenue of only $9,938, leading to a substantial net loss. This pattern of spending far exceeding revenue raises serious questions about long-term viability and the efficiency of its operations.

The foundation's assets have also been steadily declining, from a high of $10,299,233 in 2016 to $5,431,583 in 2023, further supporting the observation of asset depletion. The lack of detailed expense breakdowns (program, administrative, fundraising) in the provided data makes a precise assessment of spending efficiency challenging. However, the consistent operational losses suggest that the current financial model is unsustainable, regardless of how efficiently funds are allocated internally. The absence of officer compensation is a positive transparency indicator, but it doesn't offset the broader financial instability.

Verdict: Castanea Foundation Inc shows mixed signals

Red Flags

Strengths