Quick charity verification for Forum Foundation (EIN: 203986056)
Verdict: Forum Foundation shows mixed signals
45/100Mission Score
$22KRevenue
$6.6MAssets
4Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent and significant operational deficits (e.g., $35,361 revenue vs. $797,769 expenses in 2023).
Substantial decline in assets over recent years (from $8.4 million in 2020 to $6.8 million in 2023).
Revenue figures are extremely low relative to expenses, indicating an unsustainable financial model.
Negative revenue reported in some years (e.g., $-723,134 in 2014, $-76,996 in 2012), which could indicate investment losses or unusual accounting.
Strengths
No reported officer compensation, suggesting efficient use of funds at the leadership level.
Substantial asset base ($6.8 million in 2023) provides a buffer, though it is being depleted.
Low liabilities reported in most recent years (e.g., $1 in 2023 and 2021).
Spending Breakdown
How Forum 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
0%
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 Forum Foundation
Is Forum Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Forum Foundation (EIN: 203986056) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 45/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Forum Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Forum Foundation has a Mission Score of 45/100. Revenue: $22K. Assets: $6.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Forum Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Forum Foundation is 203986056. 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 Forum Foundation spend its money?
Forum Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Forum Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Forum Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 203986056 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 Forum Foundation exhibits a concerning financial trend with consistently high expenses far exceeding its revenue in recent years. For example, in 2023, revenue was $35,361 while expenses were $797,769, indicating a significant operational deficit. This pattern is not isolated, as seen in 2022 ($43,102 revenue vs. $670,154 expenses) and 2021 ($37,220 revenue vs. $464,233 expenses). While the organization holds substantial assets, reported at $6,818,902 in 2023, the continuous depletion of these assets to cover operational costs is unsustainable. The lack of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a volunteer-led or minimally compensated leadership structure, which can be a positive for efficiency, but does not mitigate the underlying financial imbalance.
The organization's financial health appears precarious given its consistent operational losses. The significant drop in assets from a peak of $8,401,598 in 2020 to $6,818,902 in 2023, alongside the large negative net income, suggests the organization is drawing down its endowment or investment principal to sustain operations. Without a clear explanation for these deficits or a strategy to increase sustainable revenue, the long-term viability of the foundation is questionable. The NTEE code T20 (Private Grantmaking Foundations) suggests its primary activity is grantmaking, which would explain high expenses if grants are being paid out, but the revenue figures do not support a sustainable grantmaking model based on incoming contributions.