Quick charity verification for Franklin Square Foundation (EIN: 10746539)
Verdict: Franklin Square Foundation appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$603KRevenue
$2.2MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeding revenue in recent years (e.g., 2023 expenses $222,153 vs. revenue $123,954)
Significant year-over-year revenue fluctuations, indicating potential instability in funding sources.
Strengths
Strong and growing asset base ($1,938,029 in 2023, up from $1,544,174 in 2011).
Minimal liabilities ($1 across all reported periods), indicating excellent financial health.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history over a decade, demonstrating transparency and compliance.
0% reported officer compensation, suggesting efficient use of funds or volunteer leadership.
Spending Breakdown
How Franklin Square Foundation 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 Franklin Square Foundation
Is Franklin Square Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Franklin Square Foundation (EIN: 10746539) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Franklin Square Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Franklin Square Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $603K. Assets: $2.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Franklin Square Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Franklin Square Foundation is 10746539. 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 Franklin Square Foundation spend its money?
Franklin Square Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Franklin Square Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Franklin Square Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 10746539 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
Franklin Square Foundation demonstrates a consistent financial history with stable assets and minimal liabilities, indicating a strong balance sheet. Over the past decade, the organization's assets have grown from $1,544,174 in 2011 to $1,938,029 in 2023, while liabilities have remained negligible at $1. This financial stability is a positive indicator of long-term viability. However, recent filings show a trend where expenses have exceeded revenue, particularly in 2023 ($222,153 expenses vs. $123,954 revenue) and 2022 ($219,703 expenses vs. $186,838 revenue). This suggests the organization may be drawing down on its reserves or relying on prior year surpluses to cover current operations.
The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings is a notable aspect, suggesting either a volunteer-led executive team or compensation being reported under other expense categories, which could impact transparency regarding leadership costs. While the organization maintains a healthy asset base, the recent operating deficits warrant closer examination to ensure sustainable financial practices. The consistent filing of IRS 990 forms over a decade demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance and basic transparency.