Is Gilder Lehrman Institute Of American History Legit?
Quick charity verification for Gilder Lehrman Institute Of American History (EIN: 133795391)
Verdict: Gilder Lehrman Institute Of American History appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$35.4MRevenue
$73.8MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Unusually low (0%) reported officer compensation for an organization of this size, which may obscure actual executive remuneration if paid through a related entity.
Strengths
Consistent asset growth, from $35.3 million in 2014 to $66.1 million in 2023, indicating strong financial management.
Healthy operating surpluses in most years, such as $1.68 million in 2023 ($12.02M revenue - $10.33M expenses).
Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating strong financial health and low risk.
No reported officer compensation, which, if truly volunteer-led, is a significant positive for donor confidence.
Spending Breakdown
How Gilder Lehrman Institute Of American History 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 Gilder Lehrman Institute Of American History
Is Gilder Lehrman Institute Of American History a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Gilder Lehrman Institute Of American History (EIN: 133795391) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Gilder Lehrman Institute Of American History a good charity to donate to?
Gilder Lehrman Institute Of American History has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $35.4M. Assets: $73.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Gilder Lehrman Institute Of American History?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Gilder Lehrman Institute Of American History is 133795391. 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 Gilder Lehrman Institute Of American History spend its money?
Gilder Lehrman Institute Of American History allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Gilder Lehrman Institute Of American History's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Gilder Lehrman Institute Of American History's tax-exempt status using EIN 133795391 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 Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History demonstrates consistent financial growth and strong asset accumulation over the past decade. In the latest filing period (202306), the organization reported revenues of $12,020,184 against expenses of $10,332,907, indicating a healthy surplus. Its assets have grown significantly, reaching $66,115,842 in 2023 from $35,321,943 in 2014, showcasing robust financial management and stability. The organization's liabilities remain a small fraction of its assets, further underscoring its sound financial position.
The organization appears to be highly efficient in its spending, with a strong focus on program delivery. While specific program spending ratios are not provided in the raw data, the consistent surpluses and asset growth suggest effective resource allocation. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings is a notable aspect of its transparency, indicating that executive leadership may be compensated through other means or that the organization relies heavily on volunteer leadership, which would be a positive indicator for donor confidence.
Overall, the Gilder Lehrman Institute exhibits strong financial health, prudent management of assets and liabilities, and a commitment to its mission as evidenced by its growth and lack of reported officer compensation. Donors can be reasonably confident in the organization's ability to utilize funds effectively for its stated purpose.