Quick charity verification for Findlay Education Foundation (EIN: 205109148)
Verdict: Findlay Education Foundation shows mixed signals
45/100Mission Score
$275Revenue
$31KAssets
3Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Significant and consistent operating deficits (e.g., $1 revenue vs. $50,000 expenses in 2019).
Drastic decline in revenue over time, from hundreds of thousands to hundreds of dollars.
Fluctuating assets with a current value significantly lower than historical highs ($143,990 in 2011 vs. $31,158 currently).
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for leadership.
Minimal liabilities reported across all filings, suggesting no significant debt burden.
Spending Breakdown
How Findlay Education Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
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 Findlay Education Foundation
Is Findlay Education Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Findlay Education Foundation (EIN: 205109148) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 45/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Findlay Education Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Findlay Education Foundation has a Mission Score of 45/100. Revenue: $275. Assets: $31K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Findlay Education Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Findlay Education Foundation is 205109148. 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 Findlay Education Foundation spend its money?
Findlay Education Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Findlay Education Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Findlay Education Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205109148 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 Findlay Education Foundation exhibits a concerning trend of declining revenue and increasing financial instability over its filing history. While the organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a positive for transparency, its latest reported revenue of $275 against assets of $31,158 and a history of significant expenses raises questions about its operational viability. For instance, in 2019, it reported $1 in revenue against $50,000 in expenses, indicating a substantial deficit. This pattern of expenses frequently exceeding revenue, as seen in 2015 ($87,800 revenue vs. $104,696 expenses) and 2013 ($413,300 revenue vs. $424,000 expenses), suggests a struggle to maintain financial equilibrium. The foundation's ability to sustain its mission with such limited and volatile funding is a significant concern.
The organization's financial health appears to be in a precarious state, with assets fluctuating significantly over the years, from a high of $143,990 in 2011 to $31,158 currently. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities ($0 or $1) is a positive indicator of not accumulating debt, but it doesn't offset the revenue shortfalls. Without detailed expense breakdowns, it's difficult to assess spending efficiency, but the overall financial trajectory suggests a need for a robust fundraising strategy or a re-evaluation of its operational model to ensure long-term sustainability. The lack of detailed program spending information in the provided data limits a full assessment of its program focus and impact.