Quick charity verification for Cline M Dahle Foundation (EIN: 205896318)
Verdict: Cline M Dahle Foundation shows mixed signals
55/100Mission Score
$21KRevenue
$1.1MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent and significant deficit spending (e.g., 2023 expenses $591,683 vs. revenue $83,613).
Over 50% decline in assets in five years ($3.5M in 2019 to $1.5M in 2023).
Unsustainable financial model with expenses far exceeding revenue.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds at the executive level.
No reported liabilities, suggesting good debt management.
Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms, demonstrating compliance and transparency in reporting.
Spending Breakdown
How Cline M Dahle Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Cline M Dahle Foundation
Is Cline M Dahle Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Cline M Dahle Foundation (EIN: 205896318) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Cline M Dahle Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Cline M Dahle Foundation has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $21K. Assets: $1.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Cline M Dahle Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Cline M Dahle Foundation is 205896318. 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 Cline M Dahle Foundation spend its money?
Cline M Dahle Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Cline M Dahle Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Cline M Dahle Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205896318 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 Cline M Dahle Foundation exhibits a concerning financial trend, with expenses consistently and significantly exceeding revenue in recent years. For instance, in 2023, the foundation reported revenue of $83,613 against expenses of $591,683, and in 2022, revenue was $176,780 compared to expenses of $823,424. This substantial deficit spending has led to a notable decline in assets, from $3,544,632 in 2019 to $1,547,290 in 2023. While the foundation reports zero officer compensation, which is a positive indicator of resource allocation, the overall financial sustainability is questionable given the persistent negative net income.
The foundation's NTEE code T20 indicates it is a private grantmaking foundation. As such, its primary 'program' activity is making grants. Without a detailed breakdown of expenses beyond the aggregate 'expenses' figure provided, it's difficult to assess the efficiency of its grantmaking operations versus administrative or fundraising costs. However, the consistent depletion of assets suggests that the foundation is drawing down its principal to cover grantmaking and operational costs, which is not a sustainable long-term strategy for a perpetual foundation. The lack of liabilities across all reported periods is a positive sign of fiscal responsibility regarding debt.
Transparency regarding specific program spending versus administrative overhead is limited by the provided data, which only offers total expenses. However, the consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all filings is a strong point for transparency and efficient use of funds at the executive level. The significant decline in assets over the past five years, from over $3.5 million to $1.5 million, is a critical financial indicator that warrants closer scrutiny regarding the foundation's long-term viability and impact.