Is Harding Educational And Charitable Foundation Legit?
Quick charity verification for Harding Educational And Charitable Foundation (EIN: 136083440)
Verdict: Harding Educational And Charitable Foundation appears trustworthy
88/100Mission Score
$1.1MRevenue
$4.3MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Frequent operating deficits (expenses exceeding revenue), as seen in 2023 ($426,046 expenses vs. $374,683 revenue) and 2022 ($451,445 expenses vs. $153,006 revenue), which could indicate reliance on asset drawdowns.
Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown in the provided summary data, making it difficult to precisely assess program spending efficiency.
Strengths
Strong and stable asset base, consistently over $4 million, providing long-term financial security.
Consistent 0% officer compensation, demonstrating a strong commitment to directing funds towards the mission.
Minimal liabilities (often $0 or $1), indicating sound financial management and low debt.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (10 filings), suggesting consistent compliance and transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Harding Educational And Charitable Foundation 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 Harding Educational And Charitable Foundation
Is Harding Educational And Charitable Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Harding Educational And Charitable Foundation (EIN: 136083440) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 88/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Harding Educational And Charitable Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Harding Educational And Charitable Foundation has a Mission Score of 88/100. Revenue: $1.1M. Assets: $4.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Harding Educational And Charitable Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Harding Educational And Charitable Foundation is 136083440. 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 Harding Educational And Charitable Foundation spend its money?
Harding Educational And Charitable Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Harding Educational And Charitable Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Harding Educational And Charitable Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 136083440 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 Harding Educational And Charitable Foundation demonstrates consistent financial stability with substantial assets, averaging over $4 million across the past decade. While the organization's revenue has fluctuated, ranging from a low of -$11,474 in 2011 to a high of $585,497 in 2014, its asset base has remained robust, indicating effective long-term financial management. The foundation consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of efficient use of funds and a commitment to directing resources towards its mission rather than executive salaries. However, the organization has frequently operated with expenses exceeding revenue, as seen in 2023 ($426,046 expenses vs. $374,683 revenue) and 2022 ($451,445 expenses vs. $153,006 revenue), which suggests reliance on its asset base or prior year surpluses to cover operational costs. This trend, while not immediately critical given the asset size, warrants monitoring to ensure long-term sustainability without significant drawdowns on its endowment.
The foundation's transparency is high regarding executive compensation, with a consistent record of 0% officer compensation. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities (often $0 or $1) also points to sound financial practices and a lack of significant debt. The primary area for further transparency would be a more detailed breakdown of program spending versus administrative and fundraising costs, which is not explicitly provided in the summary data. Given its charitable foundation nature, it's expected that a significant portion of its expenses would be in grants and program services, but without a detailed functional expense statement, a precise spending efficiency ratio cannot be calculated. Overall, the foundation appears financially sound and transparent in key areas, particularly regarding executive pay.