Quick charity verification for John And Melissa Besse Foundation (EIN: 203497950)
Verdict: John And Melissa Besse Foundation appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$893KRevenue
$9.2MAssets
0Red Flags
4Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistently high asset base (e.g., $10,785,387 in 202312) providing long-term stability.
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating highly efficient use of funds.
Extremely low liabilities (often $1), demonstrating strong financial health and minimal debt.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history, indicating good transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How John And Melissa Besse 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 And Melissa Besse Foundation
Is John And Melissa Besse Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, John And Melissa Besse Foundation (EIN: 203497950) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 0 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is John And Melissa Besse Foundation a good charity to donate to?
John And Melissa Besse Foundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $893K. Assets: $9.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for John And Melissa Besse Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for John And Melissa Besse Foundation is 203497950. 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 And Melissa Besse Foundation spend its money?
John And Melissa Besse Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify John And Melissa Besse Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify John And Melissa Besse Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 203497950 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 And Melissa Besse Foundation demonstrates a generally healthy financial position with substantial assets, currently at $10,785,387 as of the 202312 period. The organization consistently maintains very low liabilities, often reported as $1, indicating strong financial stability and minimal debt. Revenue and expenses fluctuate year-to-year, which is common for foundations that primarily make grants. For instance, in 202312, revenue was $499,424 against expenses of $342,895, showing a surplus. However, in 201912, expenses ($661,696) exceeded revenue ($471,694), and significantly so in 201512 where expenses ($1,307,704) were much higher than revenue ($382,332). This pattern suggests a strategy of distributing funds from their asset base rather than solely relying on annual contributions.
The foundation's spending efficiency appears strong, particularly given the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This indicates that administrative costs related to executive salaries are non-existent, allowing a greater proportion of funds to be directed towards their mission. While a detailed breakdown of program vs. administrative vs. fundraising expenses isn't explicitly provided in the summary data, the absence of officer compensation is a positive indicator of lean operations. The foundation's transparency is good through its consistent IRS 990 filings, providing public access to its financial activities.
Overall, the John And Melissa Besse Foundation appears to be a well-managed entity with a solid asset base and a commitment to directing resources to its charitable purpose, as evidenced by its minimal liabilities and zero officer compensation. The fluctuation in annual revenue and expenses is typical for a grant-making foundation, reflecting its distribution strategy.