Is Dale & Marilyn Howard Charitable Foundation Legit?
Quick charity verification for Dale & Marilyn Howard Charitable Foundation (EIN: 204960221)
Verdict: Dale & Marilyn Howard Charitable Foundation appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant year-over-year fluctuations in revenue and expenses, making consistent financial planning difficult to assess.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown in the provided summary, making it hard to fully evaluate program vs. administrative spending efficiency.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds and no executive salary burden.
Appears to operate as a pass-through entity, distributing funds rather than accumulating large reserves, which can be a sign of active grant-making.
Low reported liabilities across all periods.
Spending Breakdown
How Dale & Marilyn Howard Charitable Foundation 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 Dale & Marilyn Howard Charitable Foundation
Is Dale & Marilyn Howard Charitable Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Dale & Marilyn Howard Charitable Foundation (EIN: 204960221) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Dale & Marilyn Howard Charitable Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Dale & Marilyn Howard Charitable Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Dale & Marilyn Howard Charitable Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Dale & Marilyn Howard Charitable Foundation is 204960221. 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 Dale & Marilyn Howard Charitable Foundation spend its money?
Dale & Marilyn Howard Charitable Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Dale & Marilyn Howard Charitable Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Dale & Marilyn Howard Charitable Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 204960221 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 Dale & Marilyn Howard Charitable Foundation appears to be a small, private foundation with fluctuating financial activity. In 2015, it reported revenue of $70,460 and expenses of $20,459, resulting in an increase in assets to $50,001. This is a significant improvement from 2014, where expenses ($205,683) exceeded revenue ($188,080), leading to minimal assets. The foundation's assets have varied considerably over the years, from $1 in 2011 and 2014 to $50,001 in 2015, suggesting a pattern of distributing most of its funds rather than accumulating large reserves. The consistent reporting of $0 for officer compensation across all available filings indicates good stewardship regarding executive pay, especially for a foundation of this size. However, without detailed expense breakdowns, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency beyond the lack of executive compensation.