Is Frederick P Lenz Foundation For American Buddhism Legit?
Quick charity verification for Frederick P Lenz Foundation For American Buddhism (EIN: 134014022)
Verdict: Frederick P Lenz Foundation For American Buddhism appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$5.6MRevenue
$13.6MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Fluctuating annual revenues, indicating potential reliance on investment returns or inconsistent donations.
NTEE Code is unknown, which can make it harder to benchmark against similar organizations.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency and dedication of funds to mission.
Strong and stable asset base, consistently over $10 million, providing long-term financial security.
Extremely low liabilities across all periods, demonstrating excellent financial management and low risk.
Expenses generally stable, suggesting predictable operational costs and effective budgeting.
Spending Breakdown
How Frederick P Lenz Foundation For American Buddhism 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 Frederick P Lenz Foundation For American Buddhism
Is Frederick P Lenz Foundation For American Buddhism a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Frederick P Lenz Foundation For American Buddhism (EIN: 134014022) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Frederick P Lenz Foundation For American Buddhism a good charity to donate to?
Frederick P Lenz Foundation For American Buddhism has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $5.6M. Assets: $13.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Frederick P Lenz Foundation For American Buddhism?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Frederick P Lenz Foundation For American Buddhism is 134014022. 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 Frederick P Lenz Foundation For American Buddhism spend its money?
Frederick P Lenz Foundation For American Buddhism allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Frederick P Lenz Foundation For American Buddhism's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Frederick P Lenz Foundation For American Buddhism's tax-exempt status using EIN 134014022 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 Frederick P Lenz Foundation For American Buddhism demonstrates consistent financial stability with substantial assets, averaging over $10 million in recent years, and minimal liabilities. The organization's revenue has fluctuated, with a notable high of $1,382,881 in 2020 and a low of $380,571 in 2022, indicating reliance on varied funding sources or investment performance. Despite these fluctuations, expenses have remained relatively stable, generally in the $700,000-$800,000 range annually, suggesting predictable operational costs.
Spending efficiency appears strong, as the organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is a significant indicator of efficient use of funds and a commitment to directing resources towards its mission rather than executive salaries. While specific program spending percentages are not provided in the summary data, the absence of officer compensation suggests a high proportion of expenses are likely allocated to programmatic activities or grants. The foundation's consistent asset base, even during periods where expenses exceeded revenue (e.g., 2022, 2021, 2014), indicates a well-managed endowment or investment strategy supporting its long-term viability. The low liabilities across all periods further underscore its sound financial management and low financial risk.