Is Ferguson Foundation Legit?

Strengths

Consistent and substantial asset base, nearing $2 million, providing strong financial stability.
Extremely low liabilities (consistently $1 or $0) indicating minimal debt burden.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting high efficiency and transparency in leadership costs.
Long filing history (10 filings) demonstrating consistent compliance and operational longevity.

Spending Breakdown

How Ferguson 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

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 Ferguson Foundation

Is Ferguson Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ferguson Foundation (EIN: 205364754) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Ferguson Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Ferguson Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $862K. Assets: $2.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Ferguson Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Ferguson Foundation is 205364754. 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 Ferguson Foundation spend its money?

Ferguson Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

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

You can verify Ferguson Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205364754 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 Ferguson Foundation demonstrates consistent financial stability with assets consistently near $2 million over the past decade, peaking at $2,014,264 in 2022. While revenue has fluctuated, reaching a high of $226,596 in 2022, the organization has generally managed its expenses well, often operating with a slight deficit in recent years, such as in 2023 where expenses ($153,643) exceeded revenue ($130,473). This indicates a reliance on its substantial asset base to cover operational costs when revenue falls short. The foundation's liabilities have remained negligible, consistently reported as $1 or $0, suggesting a very low debt burden and strong financial health from a balance sheet perspective.

The organization's spending efficiency appears strong given the consistent zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating that leadership is likely unpaid or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is a positive for donor confidence. Without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise efficiency assessment is challenging. However, the consistent asset base and minimal liabilities suggest prudent financial management. The lack of officer compensation also points to a high degree of transparency regarding executive pay, as it's clearly stated as zero.

Overall, the Ferguson Foundation appears to be a financially stable entity with a strong asset base and minimal liabilities. Its consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a notable strength in terms of transparency and potential efficiency. Further analysis would benefit from a detailed breakdown of expenses to fully assess program spending ratios, but the available data suggests a well-managed organization.

Verdict: Ferguson Foundation appears trustworthy

Red Flags