Quick charity verification for Lawson Valentine Foundation (EIN: 136920044)
Verdict: Lawson Valentine Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$14.1MRevenue
$15.1MAssets
3Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits in multiple years (e.g., 2023, 2019, 2013) where expenses exceed revenue, potentially indicating reliance on asset drawdowns.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program vs. admin vs. fundraising) in the provided summary data makes a precise efficiency assessment difficult.
The 'Latest Revenue' figure of $14,051,516 is significantly higher than any single year's reported revenue, requiring clarification for a complete financial picture.
Strengths
Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating a highly efficient or volunteer-led administrative structure.
Maintains a substantial and stable asset base (over $12 million consistently), providing long-term financial security.
Reports minimal liabilities across all periods, suggesting sound financial management and low debt.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (10 filings provided) demonstrates consistent reporting and operational longevity.
Spending Breakdown
How Lawson Valentine 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 Lawson Valentine Foundation
Is Lawson Valentine Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lawson Valentine Foundation (EIN: 136920044) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Lawson Valentine Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Lawson Valentine Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $14.1M. Assets: $15.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lawson Valentine Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lawson Valentine Foundation is 136920044. 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 Lawson Valentine Foundation spend its money?
Lawson Valentine Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lawson Valentine Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lawson Valentine Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 136920044 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 Lawson Valentine Foundation demonstrates consistent financial activity over the past decade, with annual revenues and expenses generally fluctuating around the $800,000 to $1.5 million mark. The organization maintains a substantial asset base, consistently above $12 million and reaching over $17 million in 2021, indicating a strong endowment or investment portfolio. However, in the most recent filing (202312), expenses ($832,586) exceeded revenue ($562,112), resulting in a deficit for that period. This trend of expenses sometimes exceeding revenue is observed in several other years as well (e.g., 2023, 2019, 2013), suggesting that the foundation may rely on its asset base to cover operational costs or grantmaking in some periods, rather than solely on annual income.
The foundation's financial health appears stable due to its significant assets, but its operational sustainability relies on careful management of its endowment. A notable aspect is the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which suggests a volunteer-led or very lean administrative structure, potentially contributing to higher program efficiency. The low liabilities reported across all periods also indicate sound financial management and minimal debt. While specific program spending details are not provided in the summary data, the absence of officer compensation is a positive indicator for donor confidence regarding administrative overhead.
Given the available data, the foundation appears to be a grant-making entity, as indicated by its consistent asset base and the nature of its revenue and expense patterns. The lack of officer compensation is a strong point for transparency and efficiency. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses (e.g., program vs. administrative vs. fundraising), a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities and substantial assets points to a well-managed and financially secure organization.