Quick charity verification for Hettinger Foundation (EIN: 136097726)
Verdict: Hettinger Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$4.6MRevenue
$14.8MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed expense breakdown prevents full spending efficiency analysis
Consistent 0% officer compensation is unusual for an organization of this size, warranting further inquiry into executive remuneration practices.
Strengths
Strong and consistent asset base, averaging over $14 million.
Minimal liabilities, indicating a very healthy balance sheet and low financial risk.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, suggesting a potentially very lean administrative structure or significant volunteer leadership.
Long filing history (10 filings) demonstrates sustained operation and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Hettinger Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 Hettinger Foundation
Is Hettinger Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Hettinger Foundation (EIN: 136097726) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Hettinger Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Hettinger Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $4.6M. Assets: $14.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Hettinger Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Hettinger Foundation is 136097726. 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 Hettinger Foundation spend its money?
Hettinger Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Hettinger Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Hettinger Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 136097726 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 Hettinger Foundation demonstrates consistent financial stability with substantial assets, averaging over $14 million across its filing history. While its revenue has fluctuated, ranging from $788,074 in 2011 to $2,369,423 in 2022, the organization has maintained a strong asset base. A notable aspect is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which suggests a high degree of volunteer leadership or that compensation is not reported in this section, potentially indicating a lean operational structure. The foundation's liabilities have consistently been minimal, often reported as $1 or $0, indicating a very healthy balance sheet and low financial risk. The absence of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes a precise assessment of spending efficiency challenging, but the consistent asset base and minimal liabilities are positive indicators of financial health.