Quick charity verification for Edwin O Smith Foundation Inc (EIN: 203956129)
Verdict: Edwin O Smith Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$101KRevenue
$1.2MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses consistently exceeding revenue in recent periods (2021-2023), potentially drawing down assets if not reversed.
Strengths
Consistent maintenance of a substantial asset base, exceeding $1 million in recent years.
Zero officer compensation across all reported periods, indicating volunteer leadership and high efficiency.
Zero liabilities reported in recent years (2021-2023), demonstrating strong financial health and low debt.
Long history of IRS 990 filings, indicating strong transparency and compliance.
Strong program focus due to minimal administrative overhead from compensation.
Spending Breakdown
How Edwin O Smith Foundation Inc 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 Edwin O Smith Foundation Inc
Is Edwin O Smith Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Edwin O Smith Foundation Inc (EIN: 203956129) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Edwin O Smith Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Edwin O Smith Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $101K. Assets: $1.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Edwin O Smith Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Edwin O Smith Foundation Inc is 203956129. 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 Edwin O Smith Foundation Inc spend its money?
Edwin O Smith Foundation Inc allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Edwin O Smith Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Edwin O Smith Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 203956129 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 Edwin O Smith Foundation Inc demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its financial filings. The organization maintains a healthy asset base, with assets consistently over $1 million in recent years, reaching $1,116,538 in 2023. While the foundation experienced an excess of expenses over revenue in the last three reported periods (e.g., $177,644 in expenses against $122,133 in revenue in 2023), this appears to be managed against a substantial asset base and does not immediately suggest financial distress. The absence of officer compensation across all reported periods indicates a volunteer-driven leadership, which is a strong positive for donor confidence and efficiency.
The foundation's spending efficiency is commendable, particularly given the lack of officer compensation, which significantly reduces administrative overhead. The consistent reporting of zero liabilities in recent years (2021-2023) also points to sound financial management and a low-risk profile. The organization's transparency is high, with a long history of IRS 990 filings available, allowing for thorough public scrutiny of its financial activities. Overall, the Edwin O Smith Foundation Inc appears to be a well-managed and transparent organization, effectively utilizing its resources for its programmatic goals.