Is Gelco Charitable Foundation Legit? —…

Strengths

Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong commitment to mission.
Healthy and growing asset base, increasing from $2.8M in 2011 to $7M in 2021, demonstrating financial stability.
Low expense ratios relative to revenue, suggesting efficient operations (e.g., 2021 expenses were 41.7% of revenue).
Strong program focus, with virtually all spending directed towards charitable activities due to minimal overhead.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history, indicating good transparency and compliance.

Spending Breakdown

How Gelco Charitable Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

95%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Gelco Charitable Foundation

Is Gelco Charitable Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Gelco Charitable Foundation (EIN: 203818744) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Gelco Charitable Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Gelco Charitable Foundation has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $18.8M. Assets: $6.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Gelco Charitable Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Gelco Charitable Foundation is 203818744. 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 Gelco Charitable Foundation spend its money?

Gelco Charitable Foundation allocates 95% to programs, 5% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Gelco Charitable Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Gelco Charitable Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 203818744 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 Gelco Charitable Foundation demonstrates strong financial health and efficiency, particularly in its program spending. Over the past decade, the organization has consistently maintained low expenses relative to its revenue, indicating efficient operations. For instance, in 2021, with revenue of $861,522, expenses were only $359,855. The foundation also shows a healthy asset base, growing from $2,846,461 in 2011 to $7,044,600 in 2021, suggesting sound financial management and capacity for future grantmaking. The consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities across all filings is unusual and may warrant further investigation to ensure complete financial disclosure, though it could also indicate a very clean balance sheet.

The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with eight filings available. A significant positive indicator is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available periods, which suggests that all funds are directed towards the foundation's charitable activities rather than executive salaries. This practice enhances public trust and demonstrates a commitment to maximizing charitable impact. The NTEE code T20 (Private Grantmaking Foundations) aligns with its operational model, and the financial data supports its function as a grantmaking entity rather than a direct service provider.

Overall, Gelco Charitable Foundation appears to be a well-managed and financially sound organization with a strong focus on its charitable mission, as evidenced by its low expense ratios and lack of executive compensation. The substantial latest revenue of $18,763,877, compared to previous years, indicates a significant recent influx of funds, which, combined with its historical efficiency, positions it well for increased philanthropic impact.

Is Gelco Charitable Foundation Legit?

Verdict: Gelco Charitable Foundation appears trustworthy

Red Flags