Quick charity verification for John & Cherie Morris Family Foundation (EIN: 200434698)
Verdict: John & Cherie Morris Family Foundation appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$55KRevenue
$15KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant revenue volatility, such as $77 in revenue against $28,961 in expenses in 2023, could indicate unpredictable funding sources or reliance on asset drawdowns.
Relatively small asset base ($14,891) for a foundation, which limits its long-term grantmaking capacity without consistent new contributions.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency in leadership costs.
Very low liabilities ($0-$1) across all reported periods, suggesting sound financial management and no significant debt burden.
Regular filing of IRS Form 990s demonstrates transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How John & Cherie Morris Family 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 & Cherie Morris Family Foundation
Is John & Cherie Morris Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, John & Cherie Morris Family Foundation (EIN: 200434698) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is John & Cherie Morris Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?
John & Cherie Morris Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $55K. Assets: $15K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for John & Cherie Morris Family Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for John & Cherie Morris Family Foundation is 200434698. 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 & Cherie Morris Family Foundation spend its money?
John & Cherie Morris Family Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify John & Cherie Morris Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify John & Cherie Morris Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200434698 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 & Cherie Morris Family Foundation operates as a private foundation, which typically means its primary function is to disburse grants rather than conduct direct programs or extensive fundraising. Its financial health appears stable, though with fluctuating revenue and expenses over the years. For instance, in 2023, the foundation reported only $77 in revenue against $28,961 in expenses, indicating reliance on prior assets or significant contributions not classified as revenue in that specific period. Conversely, in 2022, revenue was $40,257 against $15,630 in expenses, showing a surplus. The foundation consistently reports minimal liabilities ($1 or $0), suggesting a healthy balance sheet in that regard, though its asset base is relatively small, currently at $14,891.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program vs. administrative expenses, which is not provided in the summary data. However, as a private foundation, a significant portion of its expenses would ideally be grants (programmatic spending). The absence of officer compensation is a positive indicator for efficiency, as it means no funds are being used for executive salaries. Transparency is generally good given the availability of 990 filings, but the lack of detailed expense categories limits a deeper analysis of how funds are allocated.
Overall, the foundation appears to be a small, family-run entity focused on grantmaking, with financial activity that varies year-to-year. Its low asset base relative to some years' expenses suggests it operates on a relatively lean model, disbursing funds as they become available rather than accumulating large endowments. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a strong point for financial stewardship.