Is Hart Foundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for Hart Foundation (EIN: 204058209)

Verdict: Hart Foundation shows mixed signals

65/100Mission Score

$3KRevenue

$21KAssets

2Red Flags

3Strengths

Red Flags

Consistent negative net income (expenses exceeding revenue) in recent years (e.g., $10,326 expenses vs. $5,234 revenue in 2023).
Declining asset base from $31,051 in 2021 to $18,094 in 2023, suggesting reliance on reserves to cover operational shortfalls.

Strengths

Consistent IRS 990 filing history (9 filings), indicating good regulatory compliance and transparency.
No reported officer compensation, suggesting a volunteer-driven model or highly efficient use of funds at the leadership level.
Very low liabilities ($1 in most years), indicating minimal debt burden.

Spending Breakdown

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

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

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 Hart Foundation

Is Hart Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Hart Foundation (EIN: 204058209) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Hart Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Hart Foundation has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $3K. Assets: $21K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Hart Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Hart Foundation is 204058209. 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 Hart Foundation spend its money?

Hart Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

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

You can verify Hart Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 204058209 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 Hart Foundation, based in Jackson, MS, appears to be a very small organization with limited financial activity. Its latest reported revenue is only $2,986, and total assets are $20,743. Over the past few years, the organization has consistently reported expenses exceeding its revenue, notably in 2023 ($10,326 expenses vs. $5,234 revenue) and 2022 ($15,388 expenses vs. $7,523 revenue). This trend suggests a reliance on prior year reserves or other funding sources not immediately apparent, or a shrinking asset base, as seen in the decline from $31,051 in assets in 2021 to $18,094 in 2023. The consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities across most years, with one exception of $1,500 in 2020, indicates minimal debt, which is a positive sign for financial stability in that regard.

Given the small scale, detailed spending efficiency metrics are challenging to assess without program-specific expense breakdowns, which are not provided in this summary. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests that the organization is likely volunteer-run or that compensation is covered by other means, which can be a sign of dedication to mission and efficient use of funds for a small entity. The organization has a consistent filing history with 9 filings, indicating a commitment to regulatory compliance, which contributes positively to transparency. However, the lack of detailed expense categories (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data limits a comprehensive assessment of spending efficiency.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.