Quick charity verification for Harless Foundation (EIN: 205172891)
Verdict: Harless Foundation shows mixed signals
45/100Mission Score
$20KRevenue
$388KAssets
3Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits: Expenses have exceeded revenue in every reported period, e.g., $24,954 expenses vs. $18,132 revenue in 2023.
Significant decline in assets: Total assets have decreased from $816,934 in 2011 to $391,430 in 2023, indicating a draw-down on reserves.
Lack of financial growth: Revenue has remained relatively stagnant or declined over the years, failing to keep pace with expenses.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation: No funds are allocated to executive salaries, maximizing resources for other purposes.
Low liabilities: Liabilities are consistently reported as $1 or $0, indicating a healthy balance sheet in terms of debt.
Spending Breakdown
How Harless Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 Harless Foundation
Is Harless Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Harless Foundation (EIN: 205172891) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 45/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Harless Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Harless Foundation has a Mission Score of 45/100. Revenue: $20K. Assets: $388K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Harless Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Harless Foundation is 205172891. 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 Harless Foundation spend its money?
Harless Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Harless Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Harless Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205172891 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 Harless Foundation exhibits a concerning trend of declining assets and consistent operating deficits over the past decade. While the organization reports zero officer compensation, which is a positive for resource allocation, its expenses have consistently outstripped its revenue. For example, in 2023, revenue was $18,132 while expenses were $24,954, resulting in a deficit. This pattern has led to a significant reduction in assets, from $816,934 in 2011 to $391,430 in 2023. The foundation's ability to sustain its operations and fulfill its mission long-term is questionable given these financial trends.
The foundation's financial health appears to be deteriorating, with assets nearly halved over the last 12 years. The consistent spending beyond its means, even with no executive compensation, suggests a need for a strategic review of its financial model or program delivery. Without a clear indication of how these deficits are being covered or a plan to reverse the trend, the organization faces significant sustainability challenges. The lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes it difficult to assess spending efficiency beyond the top-line figures.