Is Lazar Foundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for Lazar Foundation (EIN: 136088182)

Verdict: Lazar Foundation appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score

$2.2MRevenue

$16.2MAssets

2Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

Consistent decline in assets over the past decade, from $23,643,285 in 2013 to $16,164,269 currently, indicating a spend-down model without clear replenishment.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided summary makes it difficult to fully assess spending efficiency beyond the absence of officer compensation.

Strengths

Zero officer compensation reported across all ten filings, demonstrating excellent financial stewardship and commitment to mission.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history, indicating strong transparency and compliance.
Significant asset base ($16,164,269) allows for substantial grant-making or program activities.
Clear strategy of deploying assets, as evidenced by expenses consistently exceeding revenue in recent years.

Spending Breakdown

How Lazar 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

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 Lazar Foundation

Is Lazar Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lazar Foundation (EIN: 136088182) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Lazar Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Lazar Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $2.2M. Assets: $16.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Lazar Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lazar Foundation is 136088182. 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 Lazar Foundation spend its money?

Lazar Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Lazar Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Lazar Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 136088182 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 Lazar Foundation, with current assets of $16,164,269, appears to be a grant-making foundation based on its consistent pattern of expenses exceeding revenue in most recent years, indicating it is spending down its endowment. For example, in 2023, revenue was $597,192 while expenses were $1,318,154, and in 2022, revenue was $663,258 against expenses of $1,409,732. This trend suggests a strategic approach to fulfilling its mission through disbursements rather than continuous fundraising for operational costs.

The organization demonstrates strong financial transparency by consistently filing its IRS 990 forms, with no officer compensation reported across all available filings, which is a positive indicator of efficient use of funds. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency. The consistent decline in assets from a high of $23,643,285 in 2013 to $16,164,269 currently, while expected for a spend-down foundation, warrants monitoring to understand the long-term sustainability of its grant-making capacity.

Overall, the Lazar Foundation exhibits a clear financial strategy focused on deploying its assets for its mission, supported by a strong record of transparency and no executive compensation. The primary area for further analysis would be the specific allocation of its significant expenses to confirm program effectiveness.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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