Quick charity verification for Glenstone Foundation (EIN: 205938416)
Verdict: Glenstone Foundation appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$63.3MRevenue
$3.0BAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed program vs. administrative expense breakdown within total expenses, making it difficult to fully assess spending efficiency beyond the overall low expense ratio.
Unusually low expenses relative to massive revenue and asset growth, which might suggest a focus on endowment building over immediate programmatic spending, though this is common for private foundations.
Strengths
Exceptional financial health with assets growing from $584 million in 2011 to nearly $3 billion in 2023.
Remarkably low operational expenses relative to revenue, indicating high efficiency in managing its financial resources (e.g., 2023 expenses were $51.9M against $266.8M revenue).
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, demonstrating a strong commitment to minimizing executive overhead.
Strong asset accumulation and low liabilities, ensuring long-term sustainability and capacity for its mission.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a decade, providing a clear and transparent financial history.
Spending Breakdown
How Glenstone Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Glenstone Foundation
Is Glenstone Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Glenstone Foundation (EIN: 205938416) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Glenstone Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Glenstone Foundation has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $63.3M. Assets: $3.0B. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Glenstone Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Glenstone Foundation is 205938416. 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 Glenstone Foundation spend its money?
Glenstone Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Glenstone Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Glenstone Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205938416 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
Glenstone Foundation demonstrates exceptional financial health, with its assets growing from $584 million in 2011 to nearly $3 billion in 2023. The organization consistently reports very low expenses relative to its substantial revenue, indicating a highly efficient operational model. For example, in 2023, expenses were $51.9 million against $266.8 million in revenue. This suggests that the vast majority of its financial inflows are retained and contribute to asset growth, likely supporting its mission as a private art museum. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings points to a strong commitment to minimizing administrative overhead and potentially a reliance on volunteer or externally funded leadership, enhancing its transparency and public trust.
The foundation's spending efficiency is remarkable, with expenses typically representing a small fraction of its revenue. This is particularly evident in years like 2021, where expenses were $43.2 million against a staggering $1.89 billion in revenue. While the NTEE code A40 (Museums) suggests a focus on program services, the financial data primarily reflects significant asset accumulation rather than high operational spending. This structure is common for endowed institutions that aim for long-term sustainability and growth of their collections and facilities. The consistent growth in assets and low liabilities further underscore its robust financial position.
Transparency is high regarding executive compensation, with zero reported officer compensation. However, without a detailed breakdown of program vs. administrative expenses within the reported total expenses, it's challenging to fully assess the allocation of funds. Given the nature of a private foundation and museum, a significant portion of 'program' spending might be embedded in capital expenditures for collections and facilities, which are reflected in asset growth. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a decade provides a clear historical financial record, contributing to overall transparency.