Quick charity verification for Hillside Foundation (EIN: 161493404)
Verdict: Hillside Foundation shows mixed signals
55/100Mission Score
$3.5MRevenue
$31.8MAssets
3Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent and significant operational deficits (e.g., $1.63M deficit in 2023)
Dramatic decline in revenue over the past decade (from $12.38M in 2015 to $2.62M in 2023)
Unusually low or zero reported officer compensation, which may obscure full executive remuneration.
Strengths
Substantial asset base ($31,753,405) providing a financial cushion, though potentially being drawn down for operations.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history over 13 periods, indicating regulatory compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Hillside 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 Hillside Foundation
Is Hillside Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Hillside Foundation (EIN: 161493404) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Hillside Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Hillside Foundation has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $3.5M. Assets: $31.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Hillside Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Hillside Foundation is 161493404. 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 Hillside Foundation spend its money?
Hillside Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Hillside Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Hillside Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 161493404 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
Hillside Foundation exhibits a concerning trend of operating deficits over the past several years, with expenses consistently exceeding revenue. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $4,250,027 against revenues of $2,616,737, and similar patterns are observed in prior years. This sustained deficit spending raises questions about the long-term financial sustainability of the organization, especially given the significant decline in revenue from a peak of $12,380,868 in 2015 to $2,616,737 in 2023. While the organization maintains substantial assets of $31,753,405, these are likely endowment or investment assets, and the operational cash flow appears strained.
The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses. However, the consistent operational losses suggest that current revenue streams are insufficient to cover ongoing activities. The reported 0% officer compensation across all filings is a notable point regarding executive pay, indicating that top leadership may be unpaid or compensated through other means not captured in this specific field, which could be a positive for donor perception or a potential area for further inquiry regarding full compensation structures. The lack of detailed expense allocation in the provided data limits a comprehensive assessment of spending efficiency and program focus.
In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance. However, the absence of reported officer compensation in the provided data, while potentially positive, could also be an area where more granular detail would enhance transparency regarding how leadership is supported. A clearer picture of how the substantial assets are utilized in relation to the operational deficits would also improve financial transparency.