Is Lehman Foundation Legit?

Red Flags

Consistent operational deficits, with expenses exceeding revenue in 8 of the last 10 periods.
Dramatic decline in assets from $380,891 in 2014 to $48,710 in 2023, indicating unsustainable financial practices.
Latest revenue of $3,891 is significantly lower than historical figures, raising concerns about funding stability.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown in the provided data limits full financial transparency analysis.

Spending Breakdown

How Lehman Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

70%

Program Spending

Below average — room for improvement

20%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

10%

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 Lehman Foundation

Is Lehman Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lehman Foundation (EIN: 205986196) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 45/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.

Is Lehman Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Lehman Foundation has a Mission Score of 45/100. Revenue: $32K. Assets: $49K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Lehman Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lehman Foundation is 205986196. 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 Lehman Foundation spend its money?

Lehman Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

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

You can verify Lehman Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205986196 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 Lehman Foundation exhibits a concerning trend of declining financial health over the past several years. While the organization's latest reported revenue is $32,068 and assets are $48,710, a review of its filing history reveals a significant decrease in assets from a peak of $380,891 in 2014 to $48,710 currently. The foundation has consistently spent more than it has brought in, with expenses exceeding revenue in 8 out of the last 10 reported periods. For example, in 2023, expenses were $4,114 against revenue of $3,891, and in 2022, expenses were $41,901 against revenue of $33,927. This pattern of deficit spending is unsustainable and has led to a substantial depletion of its asset base.

The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, which is not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent operational deficits suggest that current spending levels are not aligned with revenue generation. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a potential reliance on volunteer leadership or that compensation falls below reporting thresholds, which could be a positive sign for minimizing overhead if other expenses are well-managed.

In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a decade demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance. However, the lack of detailed expense categorization in the provided data limits a deeper analysis of how funds are allocated. The significant reduction in assets and persistent operational deficits are key areas that would require further scrutiny to understand the long-term viability and impact of the foundation.

Verdict: Lehman Foundation shows mixed signals