How John J Bates 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 J Bates Foundation
Is John J Bates Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, John J Bates Foundation (EIN: 200525476) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is John J Bates Foundation a good charity to donate to?
John J Bates Foundation has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $-1,251. Assets: $75K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for John J Bates Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for John J Bates Foundation is 200525476. 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 J Bates Foundation spend its money?
John J Bates Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify John J Bates Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify John J Bates Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200525476 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 J Bates Foundation appears to be a small private foundation with a consistent history of minimal financial activity. Its assets have steadily declined over the past decade, from $91,479 in 2011 to $79,418 in 2023, indicating that expenses frequently outpace revenue. For instance, in 2023, the foundation reported negative revenue of $-580 against expenses of $1,152, leading to a further reduction in assets. This trend suggests the foundation is drawing down its principal rather than growing its endowment or operational capacity through new contributions.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of expenses beyond total expenses. However, given the consistently low revenue and expenses, and the absence of officer compensation, it's likely that administrative overhead is minimal. The foundation's primary function seems to be disbursing funds, as indicated by its NTEE code (T70 - Private Grantmaking Foundations). The consistent liabilities of $1 across all filings suggest a stable, albeit very small, operational structure. The negative revenue in the latest filing is unusual and warrants further investigation to understand its source.
Transparency is generally good given the availability of 10 years of IRS 990 filings. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation enhances trust, indicating that the foundation's resources are not being used for executive salaries. However, the lack of detailed program spending information within the provided data makes it challenging to fully evaluate the impact and efficiency of its grantmaking activities.