Quick charity verification for Howard Gilman Foundation Inc (EIN: 133097486)
Verdict: Howard Gilman Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$332.0MRevenue
$630.1MAssets
3Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent deficit spending in recent years (e.g., 2023 expenses $34.7M vs. revenue $25.8M)
Lack of detailed spending breakdown (program vs. admin/fundraising) in provided data to fully assess efficiency
Unusually low liabilities relative to assets in some periods (e.g., $1 in 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012) which might indicate incomplete reporting or specific financial structures.
Strengths
Substantial and growing asset base ($592,743,063 in 2023) providing long-term stability
0% officer compensation reported, indicating a strong commitment to directing funds to mission
Significant revenue spikes in some years (e.g., $332M latest revenue, $73M in 2022) indicating potential for large contributions or investment gains.
Spending Breakdown
How Howard Gilman Foundation Inc 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 Howard Gilman Foundation Inc
Is Howard Gilman Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Howard Gilman Foundation Inc (EIN: 133097486) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Howard Gilman Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Howard Gilman Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $332.0M. Assets: $630.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Howard Gilman Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Howard Gilman Foundation Inc is 133097486. 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 Howard Gilman Foundation Inc spend its money?
Howard Gilman Foundation Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Howard Gilman Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Howard Gilman Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 133097486 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 Howard Gilman Foundation Inc. demonstrates a generally stable financial position with substantial assets, reported at $592,743,063 in 2023. However, recent years show a trend of expenses exceeding revenue, such as in 2023 where expenses were $34,794,757 against revenues of $25,835,427, and in 2021 with expenses of $35,825,719 against revenues of $27,420,964. This indicates that the organization is drawing down on its endowment or other accumulated funds to cover operational costs and program spending. The foundation's transparency is bolstered by its consistent IRS 990 filings, and the reported 0% officer compensation suggests a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries.
While the foundation maintains a strong asset base, the consistent deficit spending in recent periods warrants attention. This pattern, if sustained, could impact the long-term sustainability of its programs, despite the significant asset pool. The absence of officer compensation is a positive indicator of financial stewardship and a focus on mission-related expenditures. Further analysis would benefit from a detailed breakdown of program service expenses versus administrative and fundraising costs, which are not explicitly provided in the summary data, to fully assess spending efficiency.