Is George And Sarah Buchanan Foundation…

Quick charity verification for George And Sarah Buchanan Foundation (EIN: 204479813)

Strengths

Exceptional asset growth, from $2.3M in 2012 to $67.8M in 2024, indicating strong financial management and sustainability.
Consistently low expenses relative to revenue and assets, demonstrating high operational efficiency.
0% officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating a commitment to minimizing overhead and maximizing resources for its mission.
Minimal liabilities ($1 reported in most recent filings) showcasing strong financial stability and low risk.
Significant revenue generation in recent years ($20.9M in 2024, $30.3M in 2023) providing substantial resources for philanthropic activities.

Spending Breakdown

How George And Sarah Buchanan 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 George And Sarah Buchanan Foundation

Is George And Sarah Buchanan Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, George And Sarah Buchanan Foundation (EIN: 204479813) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is George And Sarah Buchanan Foundation a good charity to donate to?

George And Sarah Buchanan Foundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $7.3M. Assets: $65.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for George And Sarah Buchanan Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for George And Sarah Buchanan Foundation is 204479813. 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 George And Sarah Buchanan Foundation spend its money?

George And Sarah Buchanan Foundation allocates 95% to programs, 5% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify George And Sarah Buchanan Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify George And Sarah Buchanan Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 204479813 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 George And Sarah Buchanan Foundation demonstrates strong financial health, with its assets growing significantly from $2,318,831 in 2012 to $67,868,350 in 2024. The foundation consistently reports minimal liabilities, often just $1, indicating a very stable financial position. Revenue has shown substantial fluctuations, with a peak of $30,311,460 in 2023 and $20,935,033 in 2024, suggesting reliance on investment returns or large contributions rather than consistent program service revenue, which is typical for a grant-making foundation. The foundation's expenses are remarkably low relative to its revenue and assets, for example, $3,035,259 in expenses against $20,935,033 in revenue in 2024, indicating a high capacity for grantmaking or asset growth.

Spending efficiency appears very high, as the foundation consistently reports extremely low expenses compared to its substantial revenue and asset base. With 0% officer compensation reported across all filings, the organization demonstrates a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead, which is a strong indicator of efficiency. As a grant-making foundation (NTEE Code T22), its primary 'program' spending would be in the form of grants to other organizations, which is not detailed in this summary but implied by its structure.

Transparency is generally good given the availability of 990 filings. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation is a positive sign for transparency regarding executive pay. However, without a detailed breakdown of the 'Expenses' category beyond officer compensation, it's difficult to fully assess the allocation between program, administrative, and fundraising costs. Given its nature as a private foundation, fundraising expenses are likely minimal or non-existent, and administrative costs appear to be very low overall.

Is George And Sarah Buchanan Foundation Legit?

Verdict: George And Sarah Buchanan Foundation appears trustworthy

Red Flags