Quick charity verification for Edward H Benenson Foundation Inc (EIN: 136162730)
Verdict: Edward H Benenson Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$6.9MRevenue
$15.1MAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Negative revenue reported in 2023 (-$242,475) without immediate explanation.
NTEE Code is unknown, which limits understanding of its specific programmatic focus.
Strengths
Consistent asset growth from $11.3M in 2011 to $14.0M in 2023, indicating strong financial management.
0% officer compensation reported across all filings, suggesting highly efficient use of funds for mission.
Very low liabilities consistently maintained, reflecting a healthy balance sheet.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating transparency.
Generally stable and controlled expense levels, indicating prudent spending.
Spending Breakdown
How Edward H Benenson Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
8%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
2%
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 H Benenson Foundation Inc
Is Edward H Benenson Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Edward H Benenson Foundation Inc (EIN: 136162730) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Edward H Benenson Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Edward H Benenson Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $6.9M. Assets: $15.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Edward H Benenson Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Edward H Benenson Foundation Inc is 136162730. 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 H Benenson Foundation Inc spend its money?
Edward H Benenson Foundation Inc allocates 90% to programs, 8% to administration, and 2% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Edward H Benenson Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Edward H Benenson Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 136162730 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 H Benenson Foundation Inc. demonstrates a consistent pattern of significant asset growth over the past decade, increasing from $11,391,811 in 2011 to $14,087,927 in 2023, indicating strong financial stewardship and investment performance. The organization's revenue has fluctuated, with a notable negative revenue of $-242,475 in 2023, which warrants further investigation to understand its cause, potentially related to investment losses or accounting adjustments. Despite this, the foundation has maintained relatively stable expense levels, generally below $700,000 annually, except for a spike to $3,682,855 in 2013, suggesting a focused approach to grantmaking or operational costs.
The foundation's spending efficiency appears high, as evidenced by its consistent program spending and minimal administrative overhead. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a volunteer-driven leadership or that compensation is covered by other entities, which contributes to lower administrative costs. The organization's liabilities have remained very low, typically under $1,000, except for a few periods, reflecting a healthy balance sheet and prudent financial management. The foundation's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, providing a clear historical record of its financial activities.