Quick charity verification for Colburn Keenan Foundation Inc (EIN: 204634920)
Verdict: Colburn Keenan Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$2.5MRevenue
$10.9MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019) where expenses exceed revenue.
Lack of detailed breakdown for program, administrative, and fundraising expenses in the provided summary, making efficiency assessment difficult.
Strengths
Substantial and stable asset base, consistently over $9 million, providing financial security.
0% officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating very low executive overhead.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history, demonstrating transparency in reporting.
Significant revenue generation in some years (e.g., $3.61M in 2012, $1.8M in 2011) indicating capacity for large contributions.
Spending Breakdown
How Colburn Keenan Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Colburn Keenan Foundation Inc
Is Colburn Keenan Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Colburn Keenan Foundation Inc (EIN: 204634920) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Colburn Keenan Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Colburn Keenan Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $2.5M. Assets: $10.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Colburn Keenan Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Colburn Keenan Foundation Inc is 204634920. 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 Colburn Keenan Foundation Inc spend its money?
Colburn Keenan Foundation Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Colburn Keenan Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Colburn Keenan Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 204634920 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 Colburn Keenan Foundation Inc. demonstrates consistent financial activity, maintaining assets generally above $9 million over the past decade, peaking at $11.37 million in 2021. While the organization's revenue has fluctuated significantly, from a high of $3.61 million in 2012 to a low of $357,316 in 2023, its expenses have remained relatively stable, typically ranging between $500,000 and $700,000 annually. This suggests a predictable operational cost structure despite varying income streams. The foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-led or externally managed executive structure, which can be a positive sign for donor confidence regarding administrative overhead.
However, a notable trend is that in several recent years (2019-2023), the organization's expenses have exceeded its revenue, such as in 2023 where expenses were $668,868 against revenue of $357,316. This deficit spending, while potentially covered by investment returns or prior year surpluses given the substantial asset base, warrants closer examination to understand its sustainability. The foundation's NTEE code T20 (Grantmaking Foundations) implies its primary activity is distributing funds, and without detailed program spending breakdowns, it's challenging to fully assess the efficiency of its grantmaking operations. The consistent asset base suggests prudent long-term financial management, but the short-term operational deficits could be a concern if not managed effectively.
Regarding transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a decade is a positive indicator. The absence of officer compensation simplifies the executive compensation analysis, but a more detailed breakdown of how expenses are allocated between program services, administration, and fundraising would enhance transparency and allow for a more precise assessment of spending efficiency. Given its nature as a grantmaking foundation, the effectiveness of its programs is directly tied to the impact of the grants it distributes, which isn't directly quantifiable from the provided financial summary.