Is Charles Lafitte Foundation Legit? —…

Strengths

Zero officer compensation across all reported periods, demonstrating a strong commitment to directing funds towards the mission.
Substantial and growing asset base, providing long-term financial stability and capacity for philanthropic activities (e.g., $36,837,267 in 2023).
Expenses consistently lower than revenue in most recent periods, indicating efficient financial management.
Strong program spending ratio, as implied by low administrative and fundraising costs and zero executive compensation.

Spending Breakdown

How Charles Lafitte Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Lafitte Foundation

Is Charles Lafitte Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Charles Lafitte Foundation (EIN: 134034999) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Charles Lafitte Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Charles Lafitte Foundation has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $977K. Assets: $36.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Charles Lafitte Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Charles Lafitte Foundation is 134034999. 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 Lafitte Foundation spend its money?

Charles Lafitte Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Charles Lafitte Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Charles Lafitte Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 134034999 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 Lafitte Foundation demonstrates strong financial health with substantial assets and a history of significant revenue, particularly in recent years. For example, in fiscal year 2023, the organization reported $26,581,015 in revenue and $36,837,267 in assets. Their spending efficiency appears robust, with expenses consistently lower than revenue in most recent periods, indicating effective management of resources. The foundation's commitment to transparency is evident through its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, which show zero officer compensation across all reported periods, suggesting that leadership is not drawing salaries from the organization's funds.

However, the wide fluctuations in revenue, from $71,188 in 2016 to over $26 million in 2023, could indicate reliance on large, infrequent contributions rather than a stable, diversified funding base. While this isn't inherently negative for a foundation, it's a characteristic to note. The foundation's substantial assets relative to its annual expenses (e.g., $36.8 million in assets vs. $2.8 million in expenses in 2023) suggest a strong endowment or investment strategy, which provides long-term stability for its philanthropic activities. Overall, the foundation appears to be a well-managed entity with a solid financial footing and a clear focus on its mission without significant overhead in executive pay.

Is Charles Lafitte Foundation Legit?

Verdict: Charles Lafitte Foundation appears trustworthy

Red Flags