Is Chris Hess Foundation Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Chris Hess 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

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 Chris Hess Foundation

Is Chris Hess Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Chris Hess Foundation (EIN: 16225742) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Chris Hess Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Chris Hess Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $3.1M. Assets: $10.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Chris Hess Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Chris Hess Foundation is 16225742. 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 Chris Hess Foundation spend its money?

Chris Hess Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Chris Hess Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Chris Hess Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 16225742 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 Chris Hess Foundation demonstrates a consistent financial base with assets generally above $10 million in recent years, reaching $10,677,903 currently. However, its revenue has been highly volatile, ranging from a high of $4,771,019 in 2011 to a low of $170,781 in 2022. This volatility makes long-term financial planning and consistent program delivery challenging. In the latest period (202312), the organization operated at a deficit, with expenses of $452,747 exceeding revenue of $370,998, a trend also seen in 2022 and 2015. This suggests reliance on its substantial asset base to cover operational costs during periods of lower income.

The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a strong indicator of efficient use of funds at the executive level and suggests a volunteer-driven leadership or very modest compensation not categorized as officer pay. The foundation's substantial assets provide a strong financial cushion, but the recurring operational deficits in recent years warrant closer examination of its revenue generation strategies and expense management.

Regarding transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a decade is a positive sign. The absence of reported officer compensation is also a transparent practice. However, without more granular expense data, a complete picture of how funds are allocated to programs versus overhead remains somewhat opaque. The significant fluctuations in revenue and occasional operational deficits highlight the importance of clear financial reporting to stakeholders.

Verdict: Chris Hess Foundation appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths