Is Cossack Foundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for Cossack Foundation (EIN: 203635940)

Verdict: Cossack Foundation appears trustworthy

75/100Mission Score
$422KRevenue
$1.2MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths

Red Flags

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How Cossack 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 Cossack Foundation

Is Cossack Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Cossack Foundation (EIN: 203635940) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Cossack Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Cossack Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $422K. Assets: $1.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Cossack Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Cossack Foundation is 203635940. 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 Cossack Foundation spend its money?

Cossack Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

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

You can verify Cossack Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 203635940 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 Cossack Foundation demonstrates a mixed financial picture. While the organization has shown significant growth in assets, reaching $1,167,778 in its latest filing, its revenue has fluctuated considerably over the years, from a low of $24,046 in 2012 to a high of $607,011 in 2013. The latest revenue of $422,126 is a healthy figure, but the 2022 period saw expenses of $431,756 exceeding revenue of $401,078, indicating a deficit for that year. This pattern of expenses sometimes exceeding revenue suggests a need for careful financial management to ensure long-term sustainability. Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which is not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a positive indicator for donor confidence, suggesting that resources are not being diverted to high executive salaries. The organization's NTEE code B90 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations) implies a focus on grantmaking, which typically involves lower direct program delivery costs but requires robust oversight of grants issued. Transparency appears to be adequate given the availability of multiple IRS 990 filings. The consistent reporting of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses over several years allows for a basic trend analysis. However, without more granular expense data, it's challenging to fully evaluate how efficiently funds are being utilized towards its mission. The lack of reported officer compensation is a strong point for transparency regarding executive pay.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.

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