Quick charity verification for Fledgling Fund (EIN: 202450707)
Verdict: Fledgling Fund has notable concerns
35/100Mission Score
$1.7MRevenue
$2.8MAssets
4Red Flags
1Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent and significant operating deficits (e.g., $1.27 million in 2023, $1.24 million in 2022).
Drastic decline in total assets over the past decade (from $16.39 million in 2011 to $2.76 million currently).
Revenue in recent years is extremely low relative to expenses (e.g., $26,036 revenue vs. $1,299,128 expenses in 2023).
Substantial increase in liabilities in recent filings ($1.98 million in 2023, $546,059 in 2022) after years of near-zero liabilities.
Strengths
No reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting efficient use of funds at the executive level or volunteer leadership.
Spending Breakdown
How Fledgling Fund allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Fledgling Fund
Is Fledgling Fund a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Fledgling Fund (EIN: 202450707) has notable concerns. Mission Score: 35/100. 4 red flags identified, 1 strength noted.
Is Fledgling Fund a good charity to donate to?
Fledgling Fund has a Mission Score of 35/100. Revenue: $1.7M. Assets: $2.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Fledgling Fund?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Fledgling Fund is 202450707. 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 Fledgling Fund spend its money?
Fledgling Fund allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Fledgling Fund's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Fledgling Fund's tax-exempt status using EIN 202450707 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 Fledgling Fund exhibits a concerning trend of declining revenue and assets over the past decade, with a significant drop from $16.39 million in assets in 2011 to $2.76 million currently. In the most recent filing (2023), the organization reported revenue of only $26,036 against expenses of $1,299,128, indicating a substantial operating deficit. This consistent pattern of expenses far exceeding revenue, particularly in recent years, raises questions about the long-term financial sustainability and operational model of the organization. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a potential reliance on volunteer leadership or that compensation is not reported in a way that is easily discernible as 'officer compensation' in the summary data provided.
The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses. However, the consistent and significant net losses, such as the $1.27 million deficit in 2023 and $1.24 million deficit in 2022, suggest that current operations are not financially efficient or sustainable. The substantial liabilities reported in 2023 ($1.98 million) and 2022 ($546,059) further compound these financial concerns, indicating potential debt or deferred obligations. While the lack of officer compensation could be seen as a positive for transparency regarding executive pay, the overall financial picture points to significant challenges in maintaining operations and achieving financial stability.