Quick charity verification for Cherry Family Foundation (EIN: 161675283)
Verdict: Cherry Family Foundation appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$2.0MRevenue
$2.1MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits (expenses frequently exceed revenue, e.g., $307,268 expenses vs. $204,017 revenue in 2023).
Reliance on asset drawdowns to cover annual expenses, which could impact long-term sustainability if not managed carefully.
Strengths
Strong asset base, consistently over $1.6 million, providing financial stability.
0% officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating very low executive overhead.
Minimal liabilities ($0 or $1 reported), reflecting a healthy balance sheet.
Consistent filing history (10 filings), demonstrating transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Cherry Family Foundation 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 Cherry Family Foundation
Is Cherry Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Cherry Family Foundation (EIN: 161675283) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Cherry Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Cherry Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $2.0M. Assets: $2.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Cherry Family Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Cherry Family Foundation is 161675283. 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 Cherry Family Foundation spend its money?
Cherry Family Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Cherry Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Cherry Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 161675283 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 Cherry Family Foundation demonstrates consistent financial stability with assets generally exceeding $1.6 million over the past decade, peaking at $2,121,290 in 2013. However, the organization frequently operates at a deficit, with expenses often surpassing revenue, as seen in 2023 ($307,268 expenses vs. $204,017 revenue) and 2022 ($328,527 expenses vs. $203,246 revenue). This trend suggests reliance on existing assets or prior year surpluses to cover operational costs, which while not immediately critical given their asset base, warrants monitoring for long-term sustainability.
The foundation's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed functional expense breakdown (program, administrative, fundraising) from the provided data. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates a commitment to minimizing executive overhead, which is a positive sign for donor confidence. The organization's liabilities have consistently been reported as minimal ($0 or $1), indicating a healthy balance sheet and low financial risk.
Transparency is generally good, with a decade of consistent IRS 990 filings available. The absence of officer compensation is a strong indicator of a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure. To further enhance transparency and allow for a more precise assessment of spending efficiency, a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories would be beneficial.