Quick charity verification for Hearst Foundation Inc (EIN: 136161746)
Verdict: Hearst Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$31.7MRevenue
$430.3MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Significant negative revenue reported in 2022 (-$10,343,194) warrants further investigation.
Strengths
Consistently high program spending ratio, indicating strong mission focus.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, maximizing funds for charitable purposes.
Substantial and growing asset base ($430,327,798 latest), ensuring long-term financial stability.
Low liabilities relative to assets, reflecting sound financial management.
Consistent history of significant grantmaking activity.
Spending Breakdown
How Hearst Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 Hearst Foundation Inc
Is Hearst Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Hearst Foundation Inc (EIN: 136161746) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Hearst Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Hearst Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $31.7M. Assets: $430.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Hearst Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Hearst Foundation Inc is 136161746. 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 Hearst Foundation Inc spend its money?
Hearst Foundation Inc allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Hearst Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Hearst Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 136161746 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 Hearst Foundation Inc. demonstrates strong financial health with substantial assets, consistently exceeding $300 million in recent years and reaching $430,327,798 in the latest reported period. The organization generally maintains a healthy revenue stream, with significant fluctuations, including a notable negative revenue of $-10,343,194 in 2022, which warrants further investigation but appears to be an anomaly given the overall trend. Program spending efficiency is a key strength, as the foundation consistently expends a high percentage of its total expenses on program services, indicating a strong focus on its charitable mission. For instance, in 2023, with $21,244,744 in total expenses, a significant portion was directed towards programs.
The foundation's transparency is commendable, particularly regarding executive compensation, which is reported as 0% in all available filings. This suggests that the foundation's leadership is either unpaid or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation on the 990, which is a positive indicator of resource allocation directly to mission-related activities. The consistent growth in assets over the past decade, from $249,299,342 in 2011 to over $430 million currently, reflects sound financial management and investment strategies, enabling sustained grantmaking capacity. The relatively low liabilities across all periods also point to a stable financial position.