Is John B Pierce Foundation Legit? —…

Red Flags

Significant and recurring operational deficits, such as $1.9 million in 2023 and $1.5 million in 2019, indicate expenses frequently outpace revenue.
Dramatic year-over-year fluctuations in expenses (e.g., $299,321 in 2021 to $2,335,295 in 2023) without clear explanation raise questions about financial planning and project management.
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation is highly unusual for an organization with over $14 million in assets and could indicate a lack of transparency in reporting executive remuneration or an unsustainable reliance on volunteer leadership for a large entity.

Spending Breakdown

How John B Pierce Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 B Pierce Foundation

Is John B Pierce Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, John B Pierce Foundation (EIN: 131624063) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is John B Pierce Foundation a good charity to donate to?

John B Pierce Foundation has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $517K. Assets: $14.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for John B Pierce Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for John B Pierce Foundation is 131624063. 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 B Pierce Foundation spend its money?

John B Pierce Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify John B Pierce Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify John B Pierce Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 131624063 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 B Pierce Foundation exhibits a fluctuating financial performance over the past decade, with significant variations in revenue and expenses. In 2023, the organization reported revenue of $424,439 against expenses of $2,335,295, indicating a substantial deficit for the year. This trend of expenses exceeding revenue is not isolated, as seen in 2022 ($842,119 revenue vs. $934,702 expenses) and 2019 ($373,396 revenue vs. $1,212,438 expenses). However, there were also periods of surplus, such as in 2021 and 2020. The foundation maintains a strong asset base, with assets consistently above $14 million, reaching $15,355,935 in 2023, which provides a buffer against operational deficits. Liabilities have remained relatively low, suggesting good financial management in terms of debt.

The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a commitment to minimizing executive overhead, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence. The significant year-over-year swings in expenses, such as the jump from $299,321 in 2021 to $2,335,295 in 2023, warrant further investigation to understand the underlying operational changes or specific projects driving these costs. The lack of detailed expense categories in the provided data limits a comprehensive assessment of spending efficiency.

In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods demonstrates a commitment to public disclosure. The absence of officer compensation is a transparent and positive financial practice. However, without more granular data on how expenses are allocated (e.g., program vs. administrative), a complete picture of their operational transparency regarding spending priorities is not fully available. The foundation's substantial asset base, coupled with low liabilities, indicates a stable financial position despite the operational deficits in some years.

Is John B Pierce Foundation Legit?

Verdict: John B Pierce Foundation appears trustworthy