Is Foundation For The Defense Of…

Quick charity verification for Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc (EIN: 134174402)

Spending Breakdown

How Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

70%

Program Spending

Below average — room for improvement

20%

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 Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc

Is Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc (EIN: 134174402) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc a good charity to donate to?

Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $33.6M. Assets: $41.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc is 134174402. 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 Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc spend its money?

Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 134174402 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 Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc (FDD) demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities across its filing history. In the latest period (202312), FDD reported assets of $31,722,831 against liabilities of $6,211,205, indicating a healthy balance sheet. However, the organization has frequently operated with expenses exceeding revenue in recent years, such as in 202312 where expenses were $25,394,541 against revenues of $23,924,041. This trend of deficit spending, while not immediately critical given its asset base, warrants monitoring to ensure long-term sustainability.

Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data, a precise assessment is challenging. However, the consistent growth in total expenses over the years, from $8,334,480 in 201412 to $25,394,541 in 202312, suggests an expanding operational scope. The organization's transparency appears strong concerning executive compensation, as all filings indicate 0% officer compensation, which is unusual for an organization of this size and suggests that key leadership may be compensated through other means or that the organization's structure does not classify these roles as 'officers' for compensation reporting purposes on the 990.

Overall, FDD appears financially sound with substantial assets. The recurring operational deficits, where expenses outpace revenue, are a point of attention, but the organization's strong asset base provides a buffer. The lack of reported officer compensation is a notable aspect of its transparency, potentially indicating a unique compensation structure or reporting methodology.

Is Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc Legit?

Verdict: Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies Inc appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths