Quick charity verification for Edward Fein Foundation (EIN: 136220451)
Verdict: Edward Fein Foundation shows mixed signals
55/100Mission Score
$1.4MRevenue
$5.4MAssets
4Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent deficit spending (e.g., 2024 expenses $312,388 vs. revenue $298,250)
Declining asset base over time (from $6.68M in 2016 to $5.42M in 2024)
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data
Significant fluctuations in annual revenue, making financial planning challenging (e.g., $1.56M in 2016 vs. $29K in 2022)
Strengths
Zero reported officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds at the leadership level.
Very low liabilities ($1 consistently reported), suggesting no significant debt burden.
Substantial asset base ($5.42M in 2024) provides a buffer despite deficit spending.
Spending Breakdown
How Edward Fein 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 Edward Fein Foundation
Is Edward Fein Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Edward Fein Foundation (EIN: 136220451) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Edward Fein Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Edward Fein Foundation has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $1.4M. Assets: $5.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Edward Fein Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Edward Fein Foundation is 136220451. 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 Edward Fein Foundation spend its money?
Edward Fein Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Edward Fein Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Edward Fein Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 136220451 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 Edward Fein Foundation exhibits a concerning trend of consistent deficit spending over the past five years, with expenses significantly exceeding revenue. For example, in 2024, expenses were $312,388 against revenues of $298,250, and in 2023, expenses were $264,596 against revenues of $142,411. This has led to a gradual decline in assets from a high of $6,682,873 in 2016 to $5,427,444 in 2024. While the organization maintains a substantial asset base, this pattern of drawing down reserves is unsustainable in the long term without a significant increase in revenue or reduction in expenses.
The foundation's financial health appears to be supported by its existing assets rather than consistent operational income. The lack of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a volunteer-led or very lean administrative structure, which could be a positive indicator of efficiency if program spending is robust. However, without a breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, it's difficult to fully assess spending efficiency. The consistent reporting of only $1 in liabilities across all periods suggests a very low debt burden, which is a positive sign of financial stability in that regard.
Transparency regarding the allocation of expenses is a key area for improvement. The provided data does not allow for a detailed analysis of how funds are distributed among programs, administration, and fundraising. This lack of detail makes it challenging for stakeholders to understand the true impact and efficiency of the foundation's operations. Given the consistent asset decline, a clearer picture of spending priorities is crucial for evaluating the organization's long-term viability and mission effectiveness.