Quick charity verification for Ellman Foundation (EIN: 200896058)
Verdict: Ellman Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$465KRevenue
$515KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Periods of significant deficit spending (e.g., 202212: Expenses $263,918 vs. Revenue $102,990)
Unusually consistent zero officer compensation across all filings, which might warrant further inquiry into how leadership is supported or if all compensation is captured.
Strengths
Strong asset growth over the long term, from $9,509 in 201112 to $515,396 currently.
Consistent reporting of zero officer compensation, indicating high efficiency in directing funds to mission.
Low liabilities across most filing periods, suggesting sound financial management.
Significant revenue generation in recent periods, with latest revenue at $464,605.
Spending Breakdown
How Ellman 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 Ellman Foundation
Is Ellman Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ellman Foundation (EIN: 200896058) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Ellman Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Ellman Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $465K. Assets: $515K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Ellman Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Ellman Foundation is 200896058. 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 Ellman Foundation spend its money?
Ellman Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Ellman Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Ellman Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200896058 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 Ellman Foundation demonstrates a generally healthy financial position, particularly in its most recent filing period (202312) where it reported revenue of $354,035 against expenses of $84,524, leading to a significant increase in assets to $332,539. This indicates strong financial management and an ability to grow its reserves. Over the past few years, the organization has shown consistent revenue generation, with the latest revenue of $464,605 and assets of $515,396 reflecting a positive trend. The foundation's spending efficiency appears robust, especially given the absence of reported officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting that resources are primarily directed towards its mission rather than executive salaries. The low liabilities reported across most periods also point to sound financial stewardship.
However, there have been periods of deficit spending, such as in 202212 where expenses ($263,918) significantly exceeded revenue ($102,990), leading to a decrease in assets. While the overall trend is positive, these fluctuations warrant attention to ensure long-term sustainability. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all filings is a strong indicator of transparency and a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead, which is commendable for a nonprofit. The NTEE code T22 (Private Grantmaking Foundations) suggests its primary activity is grantmaking, and the financial data supports its capacity to fulfill this role.