Is Foothold Legit?

Red Flags

Significant negative revenue reported in 2023 ($-1,189,879) and 2022 ($-390,949), indicating substantial financial losses or unusual accounting.
Dramatic decline in assets from $12,691,815 in 2021 to $4,732,293 in 2023, raising concerns about asset management and financial stability.
Latest reported revenue of $81,231 is extremely low compared to historical figures and current asset base, suggesting potential operational challenges.
Consistent reporting of $0 or $1 in liabilities across multiple years is highly unusual for an organization of this size and warrants further scrutiny.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) makes it difficult to assess spending efficiency and program focus.

Spending Breakdown

How Foothold 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 Foothold

Is Foothold a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Foothold (EIN: 208968356) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 45/100. 5 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Foothold a good charity to donate to?

Foothold has a Mission Score of 45/100. Revenue: $81K. Assets: $4.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Foothold?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Foothold is 208968356. 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 Foothold spend its money?

Foothold allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Foothold's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Foothold's tax-exempt status using EIN 208968356 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

Foothold's financial health appears highly volatile and concerning, particularly in recent years. The organization reported significant negative revenues in both 2023 ($-1,189,879) and 2022 ($-390,949), which is highly unusual and suggests substantial financial losses or accounting adjustments. While assets remain substantial at $4,497,849, the sharp decline from a peak of $12,691,815 in 2021 raises questions about asset management and sustainability. The latest reported revenue of $81,231 is a drastic drop from previous years, indicating a potential struggle in generating consistent income.

Spending efficiency is difficult to assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the reported expenses in 2022 ($6,147,506) far exceeded the negative revenue, leading to a significant deficit. The consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities across multiple years is also unusual and could indicate simplified reporting or specific accounting practices that warrant further investigation. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which suggests either a fully volunteer-run leadership or compensation being reported under other expense categories.

Transparency is moderately concerning due to the unusual negative revenue figures and the lack of detailed expense breakdowns. While the organization has a consistent filing history, the financial anomalies require deeper scrutiny to understand the true operational efficiency and financial stability. The significant fluctuations in revenue and assets over the past few years make it challenging to get a clear picture of its long-term financial trajectory.

Verdict: Foothold shows mixed signals