Quick charity verification for David B And Virginia M Ford Foundation (EIN: 133385063)
Verdict: David B And Virginia M Ford Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$758KRevenue
$9.7MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant revenue volatility, with a negative revenue year in 2011 (-$2,403,098), which could indicate substantial investment losses or unusual accounting events.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating highly efficient use of funds for charitable purposes.
Substantial asset base ($9,679,256) provides financial stability and a strong endowment for grant-making.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history demonstrates good transparency and compliance.
Ability to maintain expenses even in years with lower revenue, drawing from assets to sustain operations.
Spending Breakdown
How David B And Virginia M Ford 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 David B And Virginia M Ford Foundation
Is David B And Virginia M Ford Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, David B And Virginia M Ford Foundation (EIN: 133385063) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is David B And Virginia M Ford Foundation a good charity to donate to?
David B And Virginia M Ford Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $758K. Assets: $9.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for David B And Virginia M Ford Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for David B And Virginia M Ford Foundation is 133385063. 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 David B And Virginia M Ford Foundation spend its money?
David B And Virginia M Ford Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify David B And Virginia M Ford Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify David B And Virginia M Ford Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 133385063 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 David B And Virginia M Ford Foundation operates as a private foundation, which is reflected in its financial structure and operations. Over the past five years, the foundation has experienced significant fluctuations in revenue, ranging from a low of $223,451 in 2021 to a high of $1,466,922 in 2020. Its assets have generally remained robust, currently standing at $9,679,256, indicating a strong endowment base for its grant-making activities. The foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a positive indicator of efficient use of funds for its charitable purpose, as administrative overhead related to executive salaries is non-existent.
Spending efficiency, particularly for a private foundation, is often measured by its grant-making relative to its asset base and expenses. While specific program spending details are not provided in the summary data, the consistent expenses, even in years with lower revenue, suggest ongoing grant distributions. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $531,930 against revenue of $388,390, indicating a draw from assets or prior year surpluses to fund activities. The foundation's transparency is generally good, with a consistent filing history of 10 IRS 990 forms, allowing for public scrutiny of its financial activities. The absence of officer compensation further enhances its transparency profile regarding executive remuneration.