Quick charity verification for Food Roots (EIN: 205371832)
Verdict: Food Roots appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$448KRevenue
$243KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $153,463 in 2014 to $511,407 in 2023.
No reported officer compensation across all 12 filings, indicating strong dedication to mission.
Healthy asset growth, from $78,820 in 2015 to $392,795 in 2023, demonstrating financial capacity building.
Low liabilities relative to assets, suggesting strong financial stability.
Strong program spending focus, estimated at 85% of total expenses.
Spending Breakdown
How Food Roots allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Food Roots
Is Food Roots a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Food Roots (EIN: 205371832) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Food Roots a good charity to donate to?
Food Roots has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $448K. Assets: $243K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Food Roots?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Food Roots is 205371832. 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 Food Roots spend its money?
Food Roots allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Food Roots's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Food Roots's tax-exempt status using EIN 205371832 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
Food Roots demonstrates a generally healthy financial trajectory, with consistent revenue growth over the past decade, increasing from $153,463 in 2014 to $511,407 in 2023. The organization has maintained a strong program focus, as evidenced by its spending breakdown. Its asset base has also grown significantly, from $79,746 in 2014 to $392,795 in 2023, indicating good financial stewardship and capacity building. The organization's liabilities have remained relatively low compared to its assets, suggesting a stable financial position.
Spending efficiency appears strong, with expenses generally aligning with or slightly below revenue, allowing for asset accumulation. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $491,871 against revenues of $511,407. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a commitment to directing funds towards its mission, which is a positive sign for donors. This also suggests a high degree of transparency regarding how funds are allocated.
Overall, Food Roots exhibits sound financial management, a clear dedication to its programmatic goals, and a transparent approach to its operations, particularly concerning executive compensation. The consistent growth and prudent financial ratios contribute to a positive assessment of its financial health and operational integrity.