Quick charity verification for Lancaster County Community Foundation (EIN: 200874857)
Verdict: Lancaster County Community Foundation appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$51.7MRevenue
$184.6MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant revenue volatility, with a range from $10.5 million to $104.7 million over the past decade, which could impact consistent grantmaking without strong endowment management.
One year (202212) where expenses ($17,131,820) slightly exceeded revenue ($16,848,863), indicating a minor operational deficit for that period.
Strengths
Exceptional asset growth, increasing from $50.7 million in 2014 to $168.8 million in 2023, demonstrating strong financial stewardship and long-term sustainability.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency and potentially low administrative costs.
Healthy balance sheet with relatively low liabilities compared to substantial assets, reflecting financial stability.
Positive net income in most years, allowing for reinvestment and endowment growth.
Spending Breakdown
How Lancaster County Community 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 Lancaster County Community Foundation
Is Lancaster County Community Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lancaster County Community Foundation (EIN: 200874857) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Lancaster County Community Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Lancaster County Community Foundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $51.7M. Assets: $184.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lancaster County Community Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lancaster County Community Foundation is 200874857. 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 Lancaster County Community Foundation spend its money?
Lancaster County Community Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lancaster County Community Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lancaster County Community Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200874857 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 Lancaster County Community Foundation demonstrates strong financial health with substantial and growing assets, reaching $168,826,782 in the latest filing period (202312). Revenue has fluctuated significantly, with a peak of $104,729,352 in 202112, indicating reliance on market performance or large one-time contributions. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a notable indicator of transparency and potentially lower administrative overhead, though it's important to verify if key management personnel are compensated through other means or related entities. The foundation's expenses have generally been well below its revenue, allowing for asset growth, except for a slight deficit in 202212 where expenses ($17,131,820) exceeded revenue ($16,848,863).
Spending efficiency appears to be robust, particularly given the 0% officer compensation reported across all filings. As a community foundation (NTEE Code T31), a significant portion of their expenses would typically be grants and program-related investments, which aligns with a strong program focus. The consistent growth in assets from $50,794,000 in 201412 to over $168 million in 202312 suggests effective financial management and investment strategies, enabling the foundation to build a substantial endowment for long-term community support. The relatively low liabilities compared to assets also points to a healthy balance sheet.
Transparency is enhanced by the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, which is a positive signal. However, a deeper dive into their program spending ratio would provide a more complete picture of their efficiency in deploying funds directly to community initiatives. The significant fluctuations in revenue, while common for foundations, warrant attention to understand the sustainability of their funding model and how they manage these variations to maintain consistent grantmaking.