Quick charity verification for Colorado Farm Bureau Foundation (EIN: 208327307)
Verdict: Colorado Farm Bureau Foundation appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$179KRevenue
$298KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant year-over-year revenue volatility (e.g., $390,671 in 201709 vs. $15,622 in 202009).
Operating deficit in the most recent filing (202309: Expenses $178,887 > Revenue $129,310).
Lack of detailed expense breakdown beyond total expenses in available data, making it hard to fully assess spending efficiency.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong financial stewardship.
Maintained a positive and growing asset base over the decade, from $194,099 in 201409 to $230,035 in 202309.
Low liabilities relative to assets in most periods, suggesting good financial management of debt.
Spending Breakdown
How Colorado Farm Bureau 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
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 Colorado Farm Bureau Foundation
Is Colorado Farm Bureau Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Colorado Farm Bureau Foundation (EIN: 208327307) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Colorado Farm Bureau Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Colorado Farm Bureau Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $179K. Assets: $298K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Colorado Farm Bureau Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Colorado Farm Bureau Foundation is 208327307. 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 Colorado Farm Bureau Foundation spend its money?
Colorado Farm Bureau Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Colorado Farm Bureau Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Colorado Farm Bureau Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 208327307 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 Colorado Farm Bureau Foundation exhibits fluctuating financial performance over the past decade, with significant swings in revenue and expenses. For instance, revenue peaked at $390,671 in 201709 but dropped to $15,622 in 202009, before rebounding to $260,815 in 202209 and then declining again to $129,310 in 202309. This volatility suggests an inconsistent funding base or project-specific revenue streams. Despite these fluctuations, the organization has maintained a positive asset base, growing from $194,099 in 201409 to $230,035 in 202309, indicating some financial stability in its reserves.
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is a strong indicator of financial transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. However, without detailed expense breakdowns beyond total expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency, particularly the allocation between program services, administrative costs, and fundraising. The most recent filing (202309) shows expenses ($178,887) exceeding revenue ($129,310), resulting in a deficit for that period, which warrants attention to ensure long-term sustainability.
Overall, the foundation demonstrates a commitment to transparency regarding executive compensation. However, the significant year-over-year variations in revenue and expenses, coupled with recent operating deficits, suggest a need for more stable funding strategies and clearer reporting on program versus administrative spending to fully evaluate its financial health and spending efficiency.