Is East Tennessee Cardiovascularresearch Foundation Legit?
Quick charity verification for East Tennessee Cardiovascularresearch Foundation (EIN: 205911602)
Verdict: East Tennessee Cardiovascularresearch Foundation shows mixed signals
55/100Mission Score
$426KRevenue
$1.5MAssets
4Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits: Revenue has been significantly lower than expenses in recent years (e.g., 2023 revenue $47,525 vs. expenses $126,305).
Declining asset base: Total assets have decreased from $2,002,687 in 2011 to $1,522,687 in 2023.
Dramatic drop in revenue: Revenue plummeted from over $2.1 million in 2011 to under $150,000 in subsequent years, indicating a major shift or loss of funding.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown: Without a clear breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's difficult to fully assess spending efficiency.
Strengths
Consistent IRS 990 filing history: The organization has a long history of filing its IRS 990s, indicating transparency in reporting.
No reported officer compensation: The 0% officer compensation suggests a lean or volunteer-driven leadership structure, potentially maximizing funds for mission.
Substantial asset base: Despite declines, the organization still holds over $1.5 million in assets, providing some financial cushion.
Spending Breakdown
How East Tennessee Cardiovascularresearch 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 East Tennessee Cardiovascularresearch Foundation
Is East Tennessee Cardiovascularresearch Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, East Tennessee Cardiovascularresearch Foundation (EIN: 205911602) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is East Tennessee Cardiovascularresearch Foundation a good charity to donate to?
East Tennessee Cardiovascularresearch Foundation has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $426K. Assets: $1.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for East Tennessee Cardiovascularresearch Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for East Tennessee Cardiovascularresearch Foundation is 205911602. 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 East Tennessee Cardiovascularresearch Foundation spend its money?
East Tennessee Cardiovascularresearch Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify East Tennessee Cardiovascularresearch Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify East Tennessee Cardiovascularresearch Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205911602 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 East Tennessee Cardiovascularresearch Foundation exhibits a concerning trend of declining financial health. While the organization maintains substantial assets of $1,535,618, its revenue has consistently fallen short of expenses in recent years, leading to a steady depletion of its asset base. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $47,525 against expenses of $126,305, and similar deficits are observed in 2022 ($52,939 revenue vs. $144,714 expenses) and 2021 ($139,105 revenue vs. $151,864 expenses). This operational deficit suggests an unsustainable financial model without a significant increase in funding or a reduction in expenditures.
The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses. However, the consistent net losses indicate that current spending levels are not supported by incoming revenue. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure, which can be a positive indicator of resource allocation, assuming core functions are adequately managed. Transparency appears to be good given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a long period.
Despite the consistent filings, the long-term financial viability is questionable given the persistent negative net income. The significant drop in assets from a peak of $2,002,687 in 2011 to $1,522,687 in 2023, alongside the dramatic decrease in revenue from $2,139,282 in 2011 to $47,525 in 2023, highlights a critical need for strategic financial planning and fundraising efforts to reverse these trends and ensure the foundation's ability to continue its mission.