Is Charles And Ellen Cogut Family Foundation Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Charles And Ellen Cogut Family Foundation Inc (EIN: 113294488)
Verdict: Charles And Ellen Cogut Family Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$170KRevenue
$1.4MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent deficit spending (expenses exceeding revenue) in most recent periods, leading to asset depletion.
Declining asset base over the past several years (from $1,862,194 in 2019 to $1,469,792 in 2023).
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported, indicating efficient use of funds for leadership.
Minimal liabilities ($0 or $1 across all filings) demonstrating strong financial management.
Substantial asset base ($1,469,792 in 2023) providing capacity for grant-making.
Consistent filing history, indicating good transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Charles And Ellen Cogut Family Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Charles And Ellen Cogut Family Foundation Inc
Is Charles And Ellen Cogut Family Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Charles And Ellen Cogut Family Foundation Inc (EIN: 113294488) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Charles And Ellen Cogut Family Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Charles And Ellen Cogut Family Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $170K. Assets: $1.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Charles And Ellen Cogut Family Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Charles And Ellen Cogut Family Foundation Inc is 113294488. 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 Charles And Ellen Cogut Family Foundation Inc spend its money?
Charles And Ellen Cogut Family Foundation Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Charles And Ellen Cogut Family Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Charles And Ellen Cogut Family Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 113294488 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 Charles And Ellen Cogut Family Foundation Inc operates as a private foundation, which is reflected in its financial activities. Over the past several years, the foundation has consistently reported expenses exceeding its revenue, leading to a gradual decline in its asset base from a high of $1,862,194 in 2019 to $1,469,792 in the latest 2023 filing. This trend suggests the foundation is spending down its endowment or relying on prior year contributions. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a positive indicator of efficient use of funds for administrative overhead related to executive pay.
Given its structure as a family foundation, its primary function is typically grant-making rather than direct program delivery, which influences its spending ratios. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities across all filings ($0 or $1) indicates strong financial management and a lack of significant debt. While specific program spending details are not provided in the summary data, the overall financial health, characterized by a substantial asset base relative to its annual revenue and expenses, suggests it has the capacity to continue its philanthropic activities, albeit with a declining asset trend.
Transparency appears to be adequate through its regular 990 filings. The consistent reporting of financial data over more than a decade provides a clear historical view of its operations. The absence of officer compensation is a notable positive for transparency and efficiency, as it suggests that the foundation's leadership is either unpaid or compensated through other means not reported as officer compensation on the 990, or that the foundation is managed with minimal direct salary overhead.