Quick charity verification for Chodron Foundation (EIN: 134075603)
Verdict: Chodron Foundation has notable concerns
35/100Mission Score
$273Revenue
$8KAssets
4Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Highly inconsistent revenue and expense patterns across years.
Significant deficits in recent years (e.g., $2,392 in 2023, $51,139 in 2022).
Very low revenue in most years, raising sustainability concerns.
Assets are low relative to some years' expenses, indicating limited financial reserves.
Strengths
Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating no executive salary burden.
Low liabilities across all reported periods, suggesting minimal debt.
Spending Breakdown
How Chodron Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Chodron Foundation
Is Chodron Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Chodron Foundation (EIN: 134075603) has notable concerns. Mission Score: 35/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Chodron Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Chodron Foundation has a Mission Score of 35/100. Revenue: $273. Assets: $8K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Chodron Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Chodron Foundation is 134075603. 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 Chodron Foundation spend its money?
Chodron Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Chodron Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Chodron Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 134075603 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 Chodron Foundation exhibits highly erratic financial activity, making a clear assessment of its health challenging. In 2023, the organization reported revenue of $378 against expenses of $2,770, indicating a significant deficit. This follows an even more extreme year in 2022 where revenue was $111 and expenses were $51,250. While assets have fluctuated, they generally remain low relative to the scale of expenses in some years, such as the $10,142 in assets in 2023. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for minimizing administrative overhead. However, the extreme swings in revenue and expenses, coupled with very low revenue in most years, raise concerns about financial stability and consistent operational capacity. The lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data limits a deeper analysis of spending efficiency beyond the absence of executive compensation.