Quick charity verification for Eaton Family Foundation (EIN: 20552091)
Verdict: Eaton Family Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$1.1MRevenue
$3.1MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Frequent operational deficits (e.g., 2023 expenses $251,837 vs. revenue $174,437)
Significant variability in annual expenses, making year-over-year comparison of efficiency challenging without detailed breakdowns (e.g., $28,859 in 2011 vs. $1,128,773 in 2019)
Strengths
Consistent zero officer compensation, indicating high efficiency in leadership compensation
Substantial and stable asset base (around $3 million) providing long-term financial security
Long operating history with 10 filings, suggesting established operations
Spending Breakdown
How Eaton Family 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 Eaton Family Foundation
Is Eaton Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Eaton Family Foundation (EIN: 20552091) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Eaton Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Eaton Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $1.1M. Assets: $3.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Eaton Family Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Eaton Family Foundation is 20552091. 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 Eaton Family Foundation spend its money?
Eaton Family Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Eaton Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Eaton Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 20552091 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 Eaton Family Foundation demonstrates consistent financial stability with assets generally maintained around the $3 million mark, currently at $3,092,279. However, its operational efficiency shows significant variability. In 2023, the organization spent $251,837 while only generating $174,437 in revenue, indicating a deficit. This trend of expenses exceeding revenue is common in several years, such as 2022 ($233,755 expenses vs. $167,686 revenue) and notably in 2019 where expenses ($1,128,773) vastly outstripped revenue ($162,167). This suggests the foundation frequently draws from its asset base to cover operational costs or makes significant grant disbursements that exceed annual income. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a strong commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries, enhancing its transparency and donor confidence in this specific area.
While the foundation's asset base is substantial for its revenue size, the recurring operational deficits raise questions about long-term sustainability if not balanced by significant future revenue or strategic asset utilization. The NTEE code T20 (Foundations, Grantmaking & Giving) implies its primary function is grantmaking, which often involves distributing more than it receives in a given year, drawing from an endowment. The lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the exact proportion of spending dedicated to programs versus administrative or fundraising costs. However, the consistent zero officer compensation is a positive indicator of efficient resource allocation at the leadership level.
Overall, the Eaton Family Foundation appears financially sound due to its asset base, but its year-to-year operational funding relies heavily on these assets. Its transparency is high regarding executive compensation, but a more detailed breakdown of program spending versus other expenses would provide a clearer picture of its spending efficiency. The foundation's ability to maintain its asset level despite frequent operational deficits suggests a well-managed endowment or significant irregular contributions not fully captured in annual revenue figures.