Quick charity verification for Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc (EIN: 204233649)
Verdict: Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$46KRevenue
$3.5MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Highly inconsistent annual revenue, making financial forecasting difficult.
Significant deficit spending in multiple years (e.g., 2023 expenses $413,395 vs. revenue $48,317), indicating reliance on asset drawdowns.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data, limiting full spending efficiency analysis.
Strengths
Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds at the executive level.
Maintains substantial assets ($3,250,023 in 2023), providing a strong financial cushion.
Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms, demonstrating transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc 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 Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc
Is Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc (EIN: 204233649) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $46K. Assets: $3.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc is 204233649. 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 Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc spend its money?
Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 204233649 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 Dorothy R Gauss Foundation Inc. exhibits inconsistent financial activity, with revenue fluctuating significantly over the past few years, from a high of $1,180,357 in 2020 to a low of $26,409 in 2019 and even negative revenue in 2011. This volatility makes it challenging to assess a stable financial health trajectory. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for resource allocation directly to its mission rather than executive salaries. However, the 2023 filing shows expenses of $413,395 against revenue of only $48,317, indicating a substantial deficit spending year. While the foundation maintains significant assets, totaling $3,250,023 in 2023, the consistent deficit spending in many years, particularly 2023, raises questions about long-term sustainability if not supported by asset drawdowns or future large revenue spikes.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully ascertain without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent reporting of zero officer compensation suggests a lean operational structure at the executive level. The foundation's primary function appears to be grant-making, given its NTEE code (B12 - Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations). Without specific program expense data, it's hard to judge the direct impact of its spending. The organization's transparency is generally good through its consistent 990 filings, but the lack of detailed expense categories limits a deeper analysis of how funds are utilized.
Overall, the foundation appears to be a grant-making entity with substantial assets but highly variable annual revenue and occasional significant deficit spending. Its commitment to zero officer compensation is commendable, but a clearer picture of its program spending ratio would enhance the assessment of its efficiency and impact.