Quick charity verification for Fortress Foundation (EIN: 205513182)
Verdict: Fortress Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$207KRevenue
$1.0MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses frequently exceed revenue in individual periods, indicating reliance on reserves or prior period surpluses.
Significant fluctuation in annual revenue, making financial planning potentially challenging.
Strengths
Strong asset base ($1,018,773 latest assets) providing financial stability.
Consistently reports zero officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for mission.
Very low liabilities across all reporting periods, demonstrating strong financial management.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (10 filings), indicating consistent transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Fortress 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 Fortress Foundation
Is Fortress Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Fortress Foundation (EIN: 205513182) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Fortress Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Fortress Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $207K. Assets: $1.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Fortress Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Fortress Foundation is 205513182. 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 Fortress Foundation spend its money?
Fortress Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Fortress Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Fortress Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205513182 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
Fortress Foundation demonstrates consistent financial stability with assets significantly exceeding liabilities, indicating a strong balance sheet. The organization's revenue has fluctuated over the years, with the latest reported revenue at $206,966, a substantial increase from previous periods. However, expenses have often closely matched or exceeded revenue, as seen in 2023 where expenses were $96,694 against $89,866 in revenue, suggesting a tight operational margin. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all filings is a positive indicator of efficient resource allocation and a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead.
The organization's financial health appears sound, supported by its substantial asset base of over $1 million. While specific program spending details are not provided in the summary data, the absence of officer compensation suggests a lean operational structure. The low liabilities across all periods further reinforce its financial prudence. The significant jump in latest revenue to $206,966, compared to previous years where revenue hovered between $50,000 and $100,000, warrants further investigation to understand the source and sustainability of this growth.
Transparency is generally good given the consistent filing history and the clear reporting of key financial metrics. The lack of officer compensation is a strong point for transparency and public trust. To fully assess spending efficiency, a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses would be necessary, but the available data points to a financially responsible organization with a strong asset base and a history of minimal liabilities.