Is Elsberry Family Foundation Legit? —…

Spending Breakdown

How Elsberry Family Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Elsberry Family Foundation

Is Elsberry Family Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Elsberry Family Foundation (EIN: 203956294) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Elsberry Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Elsberry Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $34K. Assets: $430K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Elsberry Family Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Elsberry Family Foundation is 203956294. 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 Elsberry Family Foundation spend its money?

Elsberry Family Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 15% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Elsberry Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Elsberry Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 203956294 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 Elsberry Family Foundation, a private foundation, exhibits a pattern of fluctuating revenues and consistent net asset decline over the past decade. In the most recent filing (202312), the foundation reported revenue of $1,809 against expenses of $83,032, resulting in a significant deficit. This trend of expenses exceeding revenue is common for private foundations that distribute grants from an endowment, but the consistent decrease in assets from $1,202,578 in 2011 to $439,211 in 2023 suggests a spending rate that is not sustainable without substantial new contributions. The foundation maintains minimal liabilities, indicating a healthy balance sheet in terms of debt.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed functional expense breakdown, which is not typically provided in the summary data for private foundations. However, as a grant-making entity, the primary 'program' activity is the distribution of grants. The absence of officer compensation across all reported periods indicates that the foundation is likely run by volunteers or has administrative costs covered by other means, which is a positive sign for minimizing overhead. The consistent decline in assets, however, raises questions about the long-term viability of its grant-making capacity if current trends persist.

Transparency appears adequate for a private foundation, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings available. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a transparent disclosure. However, without more detailed breakdowns of administrative versus grant-making expenses, a deeper analysis of spending efficiency is limited. The foundation's financial health, while not in immediate crisis due to low liabilities, shows a clear trend of asset depletion, which could impact its future philanthropic impact.

Is Elsberry Family Foundation Legit?

Verdict: Elsberry Family Foundation shows mixed signals

Red Flags

Strengths