Quick charity verification for Cellar Family Foundation (EIN: 207181492)
Verdict: Cellar Family Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$168KRevenue
$2.8MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits in multiple years (e.g., 202311, 202011, 201511) where expenses significantly exceeded revenue.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds for leadership.
Substantial and growing asset base ($2,778,229 in 202311) providing long-term financial stability.
Very low liabilities across all reporting periods, indicating minimal debt burden.
Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms over 10 years, demonstrating good transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Cellar Family Foundation 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 Cellar Family Foundation
Is Cellar Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Cellar Family Foundation (EIN: 207181492) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Cellar Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Cellar Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $168K. Assets: $2.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Cellar Family Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Cellar Family Foundation is 207181492. 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 Cellar Family Foundation spend its money?
Cellar Family Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Cellar Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Cellar Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 207181492 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 Cellar Family Foundation demonstrates a mixed financial picture. In its latest filing (202311), the organization reported revenue of $168,086 against expenses of $315,865, indicating a deficit for the period. This follows a trend where expenses have sometimes significantly exceeded revenue, such as in 202011 ($83,488 revenue vs. $210,448 expenses) and 201511 ($487,059 revenue vs. $921,238 expenses). However, the foundation maintains substantial assets, with $2,778,229 in 202311, which have grown consistently over the past decade from $1,461,993 in 201111. Liabilities have remained very low, often negligible, suggesting good financial control over debt.
Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to fully assess. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests a strong commitment to minimizing overhead in this area. The foundation's NTEE code T22 indicates it is a private grantmaking foundation, which typically means its primary 'program' activity is making grants. The significant fluctuations in annual expenses relative to revenue suggest that grantmaking activities may vary year-to-year based on available funds or specific initiatives.
Transparency appears to be good, with 10 years of consistent IRS 990 filings available. The absence of officer compensation is a positive indicator for donor confidence regarding executive pay. The foundation's substantial asset base provides a buffer against revenue fluctuations, ensuring its long-term capacity to fulfill its mission, even in years with operational deficits.