Is Companion Foundation Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Companion Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

70%

Program Spending

Below average — room for improvement

20%

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 Companion Foundation

Is Companion Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Companion Foundation (EIN: 203050085) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Companion Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Companion Foundation has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $6.3M. Assets: $20.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Companion Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Companion Foundation is 203050085. 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 Companion Foundation spend its money?

Companion Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Companion Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Companion Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 203050085 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

Companion Foundation demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses generally increasing over the past decade. For instance, revenue grew from $1,833,692 in 2010 to $5,916,273 in 2023. However, the organization has consistently reported expenses exceeding revenue in recent years, such as in 2023 where expenses were $6,224,692 against revenues of $5,916,273, indicating a reliance on prior reserves or other funding sources to cover operational costs. While assets have fluctuated, they have generally remained substantial, with $22,001,616 in 2023, providing a solid financial base.

The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with 10 filings available. A notable aspect is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which suggests either a volunteer-led executive team or that executive compensation is not reported in this specific field, warranting further investigation for a complete picture of administrative costs. Without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency, but the consistent deficit spending is a point of concern.

Overall, Companion Foundation appears to be a stable organization with a long operating history and significant assets. The consistent deficit spending, however, suggests a need for closer examination of its operational budget and funding strategies to ensure long-term sustainability. The lack of reported officer compensation is a positive indicator of low overhead in that specific area, but a full expense breakdown is needed for a comprehensive efficiency assessment.

Verdict: Companion Foundation shows mixed signals

Red Flags

Strengths