Is Forker Smith Foundation Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Forker Smith Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Forker Smith Foundation

Is Forker Smith Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Forker Smith Foundation (EIN: 203338666) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Forker Smith Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Forker Smith Foundation has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $558K. Assets: $1.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Forker Smith Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Forker Smith Foundation is 203338666. 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 Forker Smith Foundation spend its money?

Forker Smith Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Forker Smith Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Forker Smith Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 203338666 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 Forker Smith Foundation demonstrates a generally healthy financial position with consistent asset growth over the past decade, from $619,760 in 2011 to $1,193,041 currently. Revenue has been highly variable, with a peak of $733,509 in 2021 and a low of $28,196 in 2019, indicating reliance on potentially large, infrequent contributions rather than a stable, diversified funding base. Expenses have remained relatively low compared to revenue in most years, suggesting efficient operations when significant revenue is received. For example, in 2023, expenses were $76,165 against $178,498 in revenue.

The organization appears to be highly efficient in its spending, particularly given the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which suggests that administrative costs are kept very low. The lack of reported liabilities (often $0 or $1) further reinforces a strong balance sheet and responsible financial management. However, the significant fluctuations in revenue could pose challenges for long-term program planning and sustainability if not addressed through strategic fundraising efforts.

Transparency is strong, with a clear history of IRS 990 filings showing consistent financial reporting. The absence of officer compensation is a notable positive for donor confidence, indicating that resources are primarily directed towards the foundation's mission rather than executive salaries. The NTEE code T20 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations) aligns with the operational profile of a foundation, and the financial data supports its role in grantmaking or similar philanthropic activities.

Verdict: Forker Smith Foundation appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths