Is John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na Legit?
Quick charity verification for John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na (EIN: 136861582)
Verdict: John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$5.4MRevenue
$15.9MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent deficit spending, with expenses frequently exceeding revenue (e.g., $1.17M expenses vs $645K revenue in 2023), leading to endowment draw-down.
Gradual decline in total assets over the past decade, from $18.2 million in 2011 to $15.8 million in 2023.
Lack of NTEE code and detailed program information, making it difficult to understand the specific mission and impact.
Strengths
Very low liabilities ($0 or $1 across all filings), indicating strong financial solvency and no significant debt.
No reported officer compensation, which can indicate efficient use of funds if administrative services are cost-effective.
Spending Breakdown
How John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na
Is John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na (EIN: 136861582) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na a good charity to donate to?
John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $5.4M. Assets: $15.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na is 136861582. 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 S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na spend its money?
John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na allocates 85% to programs, 15% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na's tax-exempt status?
You can verify John S Phipps Family Foundation Bessemer Trust Co Na's tax-exempt status using EIN 136861582 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 S Phipps Family Foundation, managed by Bessemer Trust Co Na, appears to be a private foundation primarily focused on grantmaking, as indicated by its consistent expense levels around $1.2 million to $1.5 million annually. Its financial health shows a gradual decline in assets from $18.2 million in 2011 to $15.8 million in 2023, alongside fluctuating revenues that often fall short of expenses, leading to a draw-down on its endowment. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $645,334 against expenses of $1,175,695, and in 2022, revenue was $566,420 against expenses of $1,334,473. This consistent deficit spending suggests the foundation is distributing more than it generates in investment income or contributions in many years.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program service expenses versus administrative and fundraising costs, which are not provided in the summary data. However, as a private foundation, its primary 'program' is typically grant distribution. The absence of officer compensation reported across all filings suggests that executive functions are either performed by unpaid trustees or are covered under administrative fees paid to Bessemer Trust Co Na, which would be reflected in overall expenses. The foundation's transparency is generally good through its consistent 990 filings, but a lack of NTEE code or detailed program descriptions limits understanding of its specific mission and impact.
Given the nature of a family foundation managed by a trust company, the 'spending efficiency' is often measured by the proportion of assets distributed as grants. The consistent expense levels suggest a stable level of philanthropic activity, even as the asset base slightly shrinks. The very low liabilities ($0 or $1 across all years) indicate strong financial management and no significant debt burden.