Quick charity verification for Coleman Fung Foundation Inc (EIN: 203996786)
Verdict: Coleman Fung Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$4.7MRevenue
$13.1MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent deficit spending, with expenses exceeding revenue in multiple recent periods (e.g., 202312 expenses $2,059,527 vs. revenue $972,576).
Declining asset base over the past several years, from $17.9M in 2015 to $12.8M in 2023.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating high efficiency at the executive level.
Very low liabilities, often reported as $1, suggesting strong financial management and minimal debt.
Substantial asset base of over $12 million, providing a strong financial foundation.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating good transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Coleman Fung Foundation Inc 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 Coleman Fung Foundation Inc
Is Coleman Fung Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Coleman Fung Foundation Inc (EIN: 203996786) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Coleman Fung Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Coleman Fung Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $4.7M. Assets: $13.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Coleman Fung Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Coleman Fung Foundation Inc is 203996786. 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 Coleman Fung Foundation Inc spend its money?
Coleman Fung Foundation Inc allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Coleman Fung Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Coleman Fung Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 203996786 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 Coleman Fung Foundation Inc. demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its program spending. However, the organization has experienced a trend of expenses exceeding revenue in recent years, with the 202312 period showing expenses of $2,059,527 against revenue of $972,576. This has led to a gradual decline in assets from a high of $17,938,744 in 201512 to $12,834,434 in 202312. While this is not immediately alarming given the substantial asset base, it is a trend that warrants monitoring to ensure long-term sustainability.
The foundation's financial health is generally stable, supported by its significant asset base. The absence of officer compensation across all reported periods indicates a lean operational structure at the executive level, which is a positive sign for donor confidence. The liabilities have consistently been very low, often reported as $1, which suggests strong financial management and minimal debt burden. The foundation's transparency is good, with consistent 990 filings available for public review.
Spending efficiency appears to be high, particularly given the zero officer compensation. The primary financial concern is the sustained deficit spending, which, if continued, will further erode the asset base. However, the foundation's NTEE code T22 (Private Grantmaking Foundations) suggests its primary activity is making grants, which inherently involves distributing funds, and the asset base is substantial enough to support this for the foreseeable future.