Is Eliots Purse Foundation Legit?

Red Flags

Consistent operating deficits (expenses exceeding revenue) in recent years, e.g., $35,440 expenses vs. $2,500 revenue in 2023.
Significant decline in total assets from $200,914 in 2014 to $33,650 in 2023.
Low and highly fluctuating annual revenue, making financial planning difficult.
Current assets ($33,650) are barely sufficient to cover recent annual expenses ($35,440 in 2023).

Spending Breakdown

How Eliots Purse Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

75%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

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 Eliots Purse Foundation

Is Eliots Purse Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Eliots Purse Foundation (EIN: 205688921) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 40/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.

Is Eliots Purse Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Eliots Purse Foundation has a Mission Score of 40/100. Revenue: $7K. Assets: $34K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Eliots Purse Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Eliots Purse Foundation is 205688921. 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 Eliots Purse Foundation spend its money?

Eliots Purse Foundation allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Eliots Purse Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Eliots Purse Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205688921 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

Eliots Purse Foundation exhibits concerning financial trends, particularly a consistent pattern of expenses significantly exceeding revenue in recent years. For example, in 2023, the organization reported revenue of $2,500 against expenses of $35,440, and in 2022, revenue was $20,500 while expenses were $32,932. This indicates a reliance on drawing down assets, which have declined from a peak of $200,914 in 2014 to $33,650 in 2023. While the organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a positive for resource allocation, the overall financial sustainability is questionable given the persistent operating deficits.

The organization's transparency is generally good, with consistent filing of IRS Form 990s. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses (e.g., program vs. administrative vs. fundraising) in the provided data, it's difficult to fully assess spending efficiency. The significant decline in assets over time, coupled with low and fluctuating revenue, suggests a need for a clearer financial strategy and potentially a re-evaluation of its operational model to ensure long-term viability. The NTEE code T22 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations) suggests its primary activity is grantmaking, but the declining asset base limits its capacity to fulfill this mission effectively.

Verdict: Eliots Purse Foundation shows mixed signals