Quick charity verification for John A Hartford Foundation (EIN: 131667057)
Verdict: John A Hartford Foundation appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$99.5MRevenue
$721.4MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Unclear executive compensation reporting (0% across all filings for an organization of this size)
Strengths
Strong and consistent asset growth (from $460M in 2011 to $675M in 2023)
Significant grant-making activity (e.g., $37.7M in expenses in 2023, largely grants)
Low reported administrative overhead (implied by 0% officer comp and NTEE code as a grantmaker)
Long-term financial stability with substantial assets ($721M latest assets)
Spending Breakdown
How John A Hartford Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 John A Hartford Foundation
Is John A Hartford Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, John A Hartford Foundation (EIN: 131667057) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is John A Hartford Foundation a good charity to donate to?
John A Hartford Foundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $99.5M. Assets: $721.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for John A Hartford Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for John A Hartford Foundation is 131667057. 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 John A Hartford Foundation spend its money?
John A Hartford Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify John A Hartford Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify John A Hartford Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 131667057 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 John A Hartford Foundation demonstrates a strong commitment to its programmatic mission, as evidenced by its consistent grant-making activities. As a grant-making foundation (NTEE Code T21), its primary 'program service' is the distribution of grants. While the provided data does not detail the specific breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses in a typical operating charity sense, the 'Expenses' figures in the filings primarily represent grants paid and operational costs. For instance, in 2023, the foundation reported expenses of $37,702,606, which would largely consist of grants. The foundation's assets have shown significant growth over the past decade, from $460,737,322 in 2011 to $675,031,343 in 2023, indicating sound financial management and investment strategies that support its long-term philanthropic goals. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a highly efficient operational model or that compensation is categorized differently, which warrants further investigation for full transparency. The foundation's financial health appears robust, with substantial assets to continue its mission.