Quick charity verification for Hobson Lucas Family Foundation (EIN: 203940983)
Verdict: Hobson Lucas Family Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$113.5MRevenue
$1.2BAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Extreme volatility in annual revenue and expenses, making financial forecasting challenging.
Consistent 0% officer compensation for an organization of this scale is unusual and warrants further investigation into how leadership is compensated or structured.
Expenses frequently exceed revenue in several periods (e.g., 2023, 2020, 2019, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011), indicating reliance on asset drawdowns or prior year surpluses.
Strengths
Substantial and growing asset base of over $1.2 billion, providing significant long-term financial stability.
No reported officer compensation, suggesting a commitment to minimizing direct executive overhead.
Strong NTEE code (T22 - Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations) indicates a clear focus on grantmaking and supporting other nonprofits.
Spending Breakdown
How Hobson Lucas Family 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 Hobson Lucas Family Foundation
Is Hobson Lucas Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Hobson Lucas Family Foundation (EIN: 203940983) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Hobson Lucas Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Hobson Lucas Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $113.5M. Assets: $1.2B. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Hobson Lucas Family Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Hobson Lucas Family Foundation is 203940983. 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 Hobson Lucas Family Foundation spend its money?
Hobson Lucas Family Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Hobson Lucas Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Hobson Lucas Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 203940983 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 Hobson Lucas Family Foundation demonstrates a strong financial position with over $1.2 billion in assets, indicating substantial capacity for philanthropic endeavors. However, its financial performance shows significant volatility in both revenue and expenses over the past decade. For instance, revenue fluctuated wildly from a high of $1,076,798,259 in 2012 to a low of $17,502,513 in 2013, and expenses have also varied considerably, sometimes exceeding revenue as seen in 2023 ($41,509,408 in expenses vs. $37,131,505 in revenue). This pattern suggests that the foundation's funding and spending are not consistently aligned, which could impact long-term planning and program stability. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead in this specific area, which is a positive sign for donor confidence regarding executive pay.