Quick charity verification for Joshua Mailman Foundation (EIN: 205520413)
Verdict: Joshua Mailman Foundation appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$2.1MRevenue
$12.3MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant revenue volatility, including negative revenue in some years (e.g., -$882,692 in 2015 and -$1,075,998 in 2013), which could indicate reliance on investment returns that are not always positive.
Strengths
Consistent zero executive compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency in leadership costs.
Substantial asset base ($12,288,963) providing financial stability and capacity for sustained grantmaking.
Very low liabilities ($1 in most recent filings), indicating a strong balance sheet.
Consistent grant distributions (expenses between $700k-$1.2M annually) demonstrating active fulfillment of its mission as a grantmaking foundation.
Spending Breakdown
How Joshua Mailman Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
95%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 Joshua Mailman Foundation
Is Joshua Mailman Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Joshua Mailman Foundation (EIN: 205520413) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Joshua Mailman Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Joshua Mailman Foundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $2.1M. Assets: $12.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Joshua Mailman Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Joshua Mailman Foundation is 205520413. 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 Joshua Mailman Foundation spend its money?
Joshua Mailman Foundation allocates 95% to programs, 5% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Joshua Mailman Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Joshua Mailman Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205520413 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 Joshua Mailman Foundation demonstrates a consistent pattern of grant-making, with expenses generally ranging between $700,000 and $1.2 million annually over the past decade. While revenue has fluctuated significantly, including negative revenue in some years (e.g., -$882,692 in 2015 and -$1,075,998 in 2013), the organization has maintained substantial assets, currently at $12,288,963. This suggests a foundation model primarily distributing funds from an endowment rather than relying heavily on annual public contributions. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all available filings indicates a high degree of financial efficiency regarding executive pay and strong transparency in this area.
The foundation's financial health appears stable given its significant asset base, which can absorb revenue fluctuations. The NTEE code T22 (Private Grantmaking Foundations) aligns with its operational pattern. The low liabilities ($1 in most recent filings) further reinforces a healthy balance sheet. The primary focus seems to be on program delivery through grants, as is typical for private foundations, rather than direct service provision with associated administrative and fundraising overhead.