Is John P Calamos Sr Foundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for John P Calamos Sr Foundation (EIN: 201383344)

Verdict: John P Calamos Sr Foundation appears trustworthy

80/100Mission Score
$14.9MRevenue
$44.9MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths

Red Flags

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How John P Calamos Sr Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
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 P Calamos Sr Foundation

Is John P Calamos Sr Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, John P Calamos Sr Foundation (EIN: 201383344) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 80/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is John P Calamos Sr Foundation a good charity to donate to?

John P Calamos Sr Foundation has a Mission Score of 80/100. Revenue: $14.9M. Assets: $44.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for John P Calamos Sr Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for John P Calamos Sr Foundation is 201383344. 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 P Calamos Sr Foundation spend its money?

John P Calamos Sr Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify John P Calamos Sr Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify John P Calamos Sr Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 201383344 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 P Calamos Sr Foundation demonstrates a generally strong financial position with substantial and growing assets, reaching $44,851,372 in its latest filing. The organization's revenue has fluctuated significantly over the years, from a low of $952,538 in 2019 to a high of $13,631,819 in 2021, indicating reliance on variable funding sources. Spending efficiency appears to be a mixed bag; in some years, like 2021, expenses were very low ($281,389) relative to revenue, suggesting significant asset accumulation. However, in 2023, expenses ($1,616,571) exceeded revenue ($1,036,214), leading to a deficit for that period. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is a positive indicator of transparency regarding executive pay, though the specific breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses is not provided in the summary data, making a detailed efficiency assessment challenging without the full 990 forms. The foundation's NTEE code T22 (Private Grantmaking Foundations) suggests its primary activity is making grants, which typically means a high percentage of expenses should be directed towards program-related grants. The substantial asset base allows for sustained grantmaking activities. The fluctuation in liabilities, from negligible amounts in some years to over $8 million in 2019, warrants further investigation to understand the nature of these obligations. Overall, while the foundation maintains a healthy asset base and reports no officer compensation, a deeper dive into the functional expense breakdown is needed to fully assess its spending efficiency and program impact.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.

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