Quick charity verification for Ford Foundation (EIN: 131684331)
Verdict: Ford Foundation appears trustworthy
88/100Mission Score
$3.8BRevenue
$17.5BAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation may obscure actual executive pay, requiring deeper investigation of full 990 forms.
Strengths
Substantial asset base ($16.79 billion in 202312) provides strong financial stability.
Consistent and significant programmatic spending, fulfilling its mission.
Long-term growth in assets, indicating effective endowment management.
High transparency with readily available IRS 990 filings.
Spending Breakdown
How Ford Foundation 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 Ford Foundation
Is Ford Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ford Foundation (EIN: 131684331) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 88/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Ford Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Ford Foundation has a Mission Score of 88/100. Revenue: $3.8B. Assets: $17.5B. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Ford Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Ford Foundation is 131684331. 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 Ford Foundation spend its money?
Ford Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Ford Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Ford Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 131684331 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 Ford Foundation demonstrates a consistent commitment to its programmatic mission, as evidenced by its substantial program spending. While the organization has experienced fluctuations in revenue and expenses, with recent periods showing expenses exceeding revenue (e.g., 202312: Revenue $502M, Expenses $851M), its substantial asset base of over $16 billion (e.g., $16.79B in 202312) provides significant financial stability. The foundation's transparency is high, with readily available IRS 990 filings detailing its financial activities. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all provided filings indicates that executive compensation is not reported in this specific field, which is common for large foundations where compensation might be reported differently or through related entities, but it warrants further investigation for a complete picture of executive pay.