Is Common Future Legit?

Red Flags

Significant deficit in 2023 ($5,028,824, with expenses of $10,336,045 exceeding revenue of $5,307,221)
Large fluctuations in revenue and expenses year-over-year, indicating potential instability or project-based funding cycles
Unusually low (0%) reported officer compensation for an organization of this scale, which may obscure actual leadership costs or structure

Spending Breakdown

How Common Future allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

10%

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 Common Future

Is Common Future a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Common Future (EIN: 201544255) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Common Future a good charity to donate to?

Common Future has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $7.9M. Assets: $17.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Common Future?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Common Future is 201544255. 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 Common Future spend its money?

Common Future allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Common Future's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Common Future's tax-exempt status using EIN 201544255 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

Common Future demonstrates a fluctuating financial landscape, with significant swings in revenue and expenses over the past few years. While the organization reported $13,069,222 in revenue in 2022, this dropped to $5,307,221 in 2023, accompanied by expenses exceeding revenue at $10,336,045. This indicates a period of spending down reserves or operating at a deficit in the most recent year. The organization's assets have also seen considerable variation, peaking at $28,743,472 in 2022 before decreasing to $19,840,042 in 2023. 

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed functional expense breakdown, which is not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a commitment to minimizing top-level administrative costs, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence. The significant increase in liabilities from $691,763 in 2023 to $4,566,369 in 2022, and then back down, warrants further investigation to understand the nature of these obligations and their impact on financial stability. 

Overall, Common Future appears to be a dynamic organization with substantial financial activity. The lack of reported officer compensation is a strong point for transparency. However, the recent trend of expenses significantly outpacing revenue in 2023, coupled with fluctuating asset levels, suggests a need for closer examination of their financial strategy and sustainability moving forward.

Verdict: Common Future appears trustworthy