Quick charity verification for Griffin Cole Fund (EIN: 137109406)
Verdict: Griffin Cole Fund appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$24.7MRevenue
$93.7MAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation for a large organization, which may obscure actual executive remuneration if paid by a related entity.
Very low expense-to-revenue ratio, which, while indicating efficiency, could also suggest a lack of direct program implementation if the organization is not primarily a grantmaker.
Strengths
Exceptional financial stability with assets growing from $16.5M in 2011 to $93.0M in 2023.
Strong revenue growth, with the latest period (202307) showing $57.7M, a significant increase from previous years.
Minimal liabilities, indicating a very healthy balance sheet and low financial risk.
High operational efficiency, as expenses consistently represent a small percentage of total revenue.
Significant asset base provides long-term sustainability and capacity for mission fulfillment.
Spending Breakdown
How Griffin Cole Fund allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 Griffin Cole Fund
Is Griffin Cole Fund a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Griffin Cole Fund (EIN: 137109406) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Griffin Cole Fund a good charity to donate to?
Griffin Cole Fund has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $24.7M. Assets: $93.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Griffin Cole Fund?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Griffin Cole Fund is 137109406. 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 Griffin Cole Fund spend its money?
Griffin Cole Fund allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Griffin Cole Fund's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Griffin Cole Fund's tax-exempt status using EIN 137109406 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 Griffin Cole Fund demonstrates robust financial health, with significant growth in both revenue and assets over the past decade. In the latest filing period (202307), the organization reported an impressive revenue of $57,707,473 and assets totaling $93,065,320. This substantial asset base, coupled with minimal liabilities (reported as $1 in recent years), indicates a very strong balance sheet and financial stability. The organization's spending efficiency appears high, as expenses consistently represent a small fraction of its revenue, suggesting that a large portion of its income is retained or invested, contributing to asset growth. For example, in 202307, expenses were $5,245,895 against $57,707,473 in revenue.
The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all available filings is a notable aspect of its transparency and operational model, suggesting either a volunteer-led executive team or compensation being covered by an affiliated entity not reflected in these specific filings. This practice, if truly indicative of no executive salaries, significantly reduces administrative overhead. The organization's NTEE code (T22Z) suggests a focus on 'Other Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations', which often involves managing endowments and making grants, aligning with the observed financial patterns of high revenue, low expenses relative to revenue, and substantial asset accumulation. The minimal liabilities further enhance its financial transparency and stability.