Is Griffith Foundation Legit?

Spending Breakdown

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

90%

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 Griffith Foundation

Is Griffith Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Griffith Foundation (EIN: 137436765) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Griffith Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Griffith Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $3.9M. Assets: $8.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Griffith Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Griffith Foundation is 137436765. 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 Griffith Foundation spend its money?

Griffith Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 8% to administration, and 2% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

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

You can verify Griffith Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 137436765 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 Griffith Foundation demonstrates strong financial health, consistently growing its assets from $2,915,715 in 2011 to $7,007,933 in 2023, indicating effective asset management and accumulation. The organization's spending efficiency appears exceptional, with expenses consistently representing a very small fraction of its revenue, particularly in recent years. For instance, in 2023, expenses were only $72,924 against $602,400 in revenue, and in 2021, expenses were $154,647 against $1,400,204 in revenue. This suggests a highly lean operational model or that a significant portion of revenue is retained for future programs or endowment growth rather than immediate disbursement.

However, the extremely low expense ratios, while seemingly efficient, raise questions about the scope and scale of direct programmatic activities relative to the substantial revenue and asset base. Without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency and program focus. The consistent reporting of $0 in officer compensation across all filings indicates a high level of volunteer leadership or that compensation is covered by an external entity, which enhances transparency regarding executive pay.

Overall, the foundation exhibits robust financial growth and minimal liabilities, suggesting a stable and well-managed entity. The primary area for further clarity would be a more detailed disclosure of how its substantial assets and revenues are translated into direct charitable impact, given the very low reported expenses.

Verdict: Griffith Foundation appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths