Quick charity verification for Designing Futures Foundation (EIN: 200335146)
Verdict: Designing Futures Foundation shows mixed signals
45/100Mission Score
$11.8MRevenue
$128KAssets
4Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits where expenses exceed revenue (e.g., $1,724,473 expenses vs. $542,656 revenue in 2021).
Dramatic decline in assets from $13,339,275 in 2013 to $128,107 in 2021.
Significant discrepancy between 'Latest Revenue' ($11,777,817) and 2021 reported revenue ($542,656) without clear explanation.
High liabilities relative to assets in some periods (e.g., 2020: Assets $10,428,204, Liabilities $9,216,304).
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported across all available filings, indicating resources are not used for executive salaries.
Long filing history (11 filings) suggests consistent compliance with IRS reporting requirements.
Spending Breakdown
How Designing Futures 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 Designing Futures Foundation
Is Designing Futures Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Designing Futures Foundation (EIN: 200335146) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 45/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Designing Futures Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Designing Futures Foundation has a Mission Score of 45/100. Revenue: $11.8M. Assets: $128K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Designing Futures Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Designing Futures Foundation is 200335146. 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 Designing Futures Foundation spend its money?
Designing Futures Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Designing Futures Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Designing Futures Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200335146 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
Designing Futures Foundation exhibits a concerning financial trend, with expenses consistently exceeding revenue in recent years. For instance, in 2021, expenses were $1,724,473 against revenue of $542,656, indicating a significant operating deficit. This pattern of spending more than it earns raises questions about the long-term sustainability of the organization. While the organization has reported zero officer compensation across all available filings, which is a positive indicator of resource allocation towards its mission, the substantial decline in assets from a peak of $13,339,275 in 2013 to $128,107 in 2021, alongside a dramatic drop in revenue from $11,777,817 (latest) to $542,656 in 2021, warrants close scrutiny. The latest reported revenue figure of $11,777,817 is significantly higher than the 2021 revenue, suggesting a potential one-time event or a substantial change in funding, which is not fully explained by the provided annual filing data. The lack of detailed expense breakdowns (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data limits a precise assessment of spending efficiency, but the overall financial trajectory suggests a need for improved financial management and transparency regarding the significant asset and revenue fluctuations.