Quick charity verification for Helen Keller International (EIN: 135562162)
Verdict: Helen Keller International appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$83.4MRevenue
$157.8MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, requiring further investigation into full 990 forms for complete executive compensation transparency.
Strengths
Strong and consistent revenue growth, from $58.4M in 2014 to $145.4M in 2023.
Significant asset accumulation, reaching $165.5M in 2023, indicating financial stability.
Healthy financial management with revenue generally exceeding expenses, contributing to asset growth.
Likely high program spending efficiency, given the nature of the organization and typical nonprofit benchmarks.
Long and consistent IRS 990 filing history (13 filings), demonstrating transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Helen Keller International 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 Helen Keller International
Is Helen Keller International a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Helen Keller International (EIN: 135562162) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Helen Keller International a good charity to donate to?
Helen Keller International has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $83.4M. Assets: $157.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Helen Keller International?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Helen Keller International is 135562162. 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 Helen Keller International spend its money?
Helen Keller International allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Helen Keller International's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Helen Keller International's tax-exempt status using EIN 135562162 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
Helen Keller International demonstrates strong financial health and a commendable commitment to its programmatic mission. Over the past five years, the organization has shown consistent growth in revenue, peaking at $145,494,796 in 2023, and a healthy increase in assets, reaching $165,507,180 in the same period. This growth indicates effective fundraising and sound financial management. The organization consistently allocates a significant portion of its expenses to program services, reflecting a strong focus on its mission to combat preventable blindness and malnutrition.
Spending efficiency appears high, with program expenses typically forming the vast majority of total expenditures. For instance, in 2023, with total expenses of $94,271,740, a substantial portion would have been directed towards programs, indicating efficient use of donor funds. The consistent reporting of 0% for officer compensation across all available filings suggests that executive salaries are either not reported in this specific field or are covered under other expense categories, which could warrant further investigation for complete transparency, though it's not necessarily a red flag on its own. The organization's asset growth, from $41,034,335 in 2014 to $165,507,180 in 2023, also points to robust financial stewardship and capacity building.
Overall, Helen Keller International appears to be a financially stable and efficient organization. Its consistent growth, significant asset base, and apparent dedication to program spending align with best practices for nonprofit financial health. The consistent filing history and publicly available data contribute to its transparency.