Quick charity verification for David B Lynch Foundation (EIN: 200458302)
Verdict: David B Lynch Foundation appears trustworthy
88/100Mission Score
$693KRevenue
$4.3MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent reporting of only $1 in liabilities, which is highly unusual and may indicate incomplete financial disclosure.
Expenses frequently exceeding revenue in recent years (e.g., 2023 expenses $275,954 vs. revenue $191,499), indicating reliance on asset drawdowns.
Strengths
Substantial asset base (over $4.4 million in 2023) provides financial stability.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, demonstrating efficient use of funds and commitment to mission.
Long filing history (10 filings) indicates consistent compliance and transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How David B Lynch Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 David B Lynch Foundation
Is David B Lynch Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, David B Lynch Foundation (EIN: 200458302) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 88/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is David B Lynch Foundation a good charity to donate to?
David B Lynch Foundation has a Mission Score of 88/100. Revenue: $693K. Assets: $4.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for David B Lynch Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for David B Lynch Foundation is 200458302. 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 Lynch Foundation spend its money?
David B Lynch Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify David B Lynch Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify David B Lynch Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200458302 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 Lynch Foundation demonstrates consistent financial stability with substantial assets relative to its annual revenue. Over the past five years (2019-2023), the organization has maintained assets exceeding $4 million, while annual revenues have fluctuated between approximately $191,000 and $413,000. This suggests a strong endowment or investment strategy, providing a buffer against revenue volatility. The foundation consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a significant indicator of efficient use of funds and a commitment to directing resources towards its mission rather than executive salaries. However, the consistent reporting of only $1 in liabilities across recent filings is unusual and warrants further scrutiny to ensure complete financial disclosure. The foundation's expenses have frequently exceeded its revenue in recent years, such as in 2023 where expenses were $275,954 against revenues of $191,499, indicating reliance on its asset base to cover operational costs. This trend, while manageable given its asset size, suggests a need for a more sustainable revenue generation strategy to avoid long-term asset depletion.