Is Elmer Tepe Lone Wolf Foundation Legit? —…

Quick charity verification for Elmer Tepe Lone Wolf Foundation (EIN: 201393547)

Red Flags

Highly volatile annual revenue, making operational budgeting unpredictable (e.g., $2,199 in 2015 vs. $137,621 in 2021).
Expenses frequently exceed annual revenue (e.g., 2022: $49,050 expenses vs. $23,071 revenue), indicating reliance on asset drawdowns or prior surpluses.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided summary data, hindering a full assessment of spending efficiency.

Spending Breakdown

How Elmer Tepe Lone Wolf 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 Elmer Tepe Lone Wolf Foundation

Is Elmer Tepe Lone Wolf Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Elmer Tepe Lone Wolf Foundation (EIN: 201393547) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Elmer Tepe Lone Wolf Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Elmer Tepe Lone Wolf Foundation has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $908K. Assets: $913K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Elmer Tepe Lone Wolf Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Elmer Tepe Lone Wolf Foundation is 201393547. 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 Elmer Tepe Lone Wolf Foundation spend its money?

Elmer Tepe Lone Wolf Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Elmer Tepe Lone Wolf Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Elmer Tepe Lone Wolf Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 201393547 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 Elmer Tepe Lone Wolf Foundation exhibits a consistent operational pattern with relatively stable expenses over the past decade, averaging around $47,000 annually. However, its revenue has been highly volatile, ranging from a low of $2,199 in 2015 to a high of $137,621 in 2021, and most recently $23,071 in 2022. This significant fluctuation in income, coupled with expenses often exceeding revenue (e.g., 2022 expenses of $49,050 against revenue of $23,071), suggests a reliance on its substantial asset base, which has generally remained robust, fluctuating between $751,982 and $1,009,107. The organization's financial health appears stable due to its assets, but its operational sustainability from annual revenue is inconsistent.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent expense levels despite varying revenue indicate a fixed cost structure. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests either a volunteer-led organization or compensation below reporting thresholds, which can be a positive indicator for resource allocation. The organization's transparency is moderate; while it consistently files its IRS Form 990s, the provided data lacks the granular detail needed for a comprehensive spending efficiency analysis.

Overall, the foundation appears to be a well-established entity with a strong asset base, but its annual operating model shows significant revenue variability. Its consistent filing history and lack of reported officer compensation are positive transparency aspects, though more detailed expense breakdowns would enhance understanding of its spending efficiency.

Is Elmer Tepe Lone Wolf Foundation Legit?

Verdict: Elmer Tepe Lone Wolf Foundation appears trustworthy