Is Friends Of The Helsinki Movement Foundation Legit?
Quick charity verification for Friends Of The Helsinki Movement Foundation (EIN: 208607942)
Verdict: Friends Of The Helsinki Movement Foundation appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$408KRevenue
$67KAssets
2Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Frequent deficit spending, with expenses often exceeding revenue (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2015, 2014).
Volatile asset base, indicating a lack of consistent financial growth or substantial reserves.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation, demonstrating a strong commitment to mission over executive pay.
Long filing history (12 filings), indicating consistent compliance and transparency in reporting.
Spending Breakdown
How Friends Of The Helsinki Movement Foundation 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 Friends Of The Helsinki Movement Foundation
Is Friends Of The Helsinki Movement Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Friends Of The Helsinki Movement Foundation (EIN: 208607942) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 2 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Friends Of The Helsinki Movement Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Friends Of The Helsinki Movement Foundation has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $408K. Assets: $67K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Friends Of The Helsinki Movement Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Friends Of The Helsinki Movement Foundation is 208607942. 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 Friends Of The Helsinki Movement Foundation spend its money?
Friends Of The Helsinki Movement Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Friends Of The Helsinki Movement Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Friends Of The Helsinki Movement Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 208607942 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
Friends Of The Helsinki Movement Foundation demonstrates consistent operational spending that often exceeds its revenue, as seen in 2023 where expenses were $363,761 against revenues of $362,923, and in 2022 with expenses of $328,440 against revenues of $310,005. This trend suggests a reliance on prior reserves or other funding mechanisms to cover shortfalls. The organization's assets have fluctuated significantly over the years, from a high of $110,000 in 2019 to a low of $14,306 in 2018, and currently stand at $67,472, indicating a somewhat unstable financial position without substantial reserves. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is a positive indicator of financial transparency and a focus on mission over executive pay.
The organization's spending efficiency, while not explicitly detailed in terms of program vs. administrative costs in the provided data, can be inferred to be focused on its mission given the lack of executive compensation. However, the recurring deficit spending raises questions about long-term sustainability. The relatively low asset base compared to its annual revenue also suggests limited capacity for future growth or to weather significant financial shocks. Overall, while transparent in its executive compensation, the foundation's financial health appears to be on a tight margin, with expenses frequently outpacing income.