Quick charity verification for Fresh Air Fund (EIN: 131656653)
Verdict: Fresh Air Fund appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$25.6MRevenue
$145.0MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeded revenue in the last two reported periods (2022 and 2023), leading to operational deficits.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency and mission focus.
Strong asset base, with $137,616,992 in 2023, providing financial stability.
Low liabilities relative to assets, demonstrating sound financial management.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), indicating transparency and consistent reporting.
Spending Breakdown
How Fresh Air Fund 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 Fresh Air Fund
Is Fresh Air Fund a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Fresh Air Fund (EIN: 131656653) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Fresh Air Fund a good charity to donate to?
Fresh Air Fund has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $25.6M. Assets: $145.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Fresh Air Fund?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Fresh Air Fund is 131656653. 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 Fresh Air Fund spend its money?
Fresh Air Fund allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Fresh Air Fund's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Fresh Air Fund's tax-exempt status using EIN 131656653 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 Fresh Air Fund demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its financial filings. Over the past decade, the organization has maintained substantial assets, peaking at $157,511,340 in 2021, indicating a strong financial foundation. While recent years (2022 and 2023) show expenses exceeding revenue, with a deficit of $7,674,879 in 2023, the organization's significant asset base of $137,616,992 in 2023 suggests it can absorb these operational deficits in the short term. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a notable strength, indicating a high degree of financial transparency and a focus on directing funds towards programmatic activities rather than executive salaries.
Spending efficiency appears to be well-managed, with the organization consistently incurring expenses in the range of $18-22 million annually, even as revenue fluctuates significantly. This suggests a stable operational cost structure. The absence of officer compensation further enhances the perception of efficiency, as a larger portion of funds can be allocated to direct program delivery. The organization's liabilities have remained relatively low compared to its assets, indicating good financial management and limited reliance on debt.
Overall, Fresh Air Fund exhibits strong financial health and transparency. The consistent 0% officer compensation is a significant positive indicator of its commitment to its mission and efficient use of donor funds. While recent revenue shortfalls relative to expenses warrant monitoring, the substantial asset base provides a buffer. The organization's long history of filings and consistent financial reporting contribute to its transparency.