Quick charity verification for Lehman Foundation (EIN: 208089328)
Verdict: Lehman Foundation appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$1.5MRevenue
$5.9MAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data makes precise efficiency analysis difficult.
Consistent 0% officer compensation for an organization of this size is unusual and might warrant further inquiry into how leadership is supported or if compensation is reported under other expense categories.
Strengths
Strong and consistent asset growth, from $470,586 in 2011 to $5,366,438 in 2023.
Very low expense ratio relative to revenue, indicating efficient operations and significant reinvestment capacity.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, suggesting a highly volunteer-driven or lean leadership cost structure.
Minimal liabilities reported across all filings, indicating excellent financial health and low debt.
Robust revenue generation in recent years, with $1,219,475 in 2023 and $1,966,779 in 2022.
Spending Breakdown
How Lehman Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 Lehman Foundation
Is Lehman Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lehman Foundation (EIN: 208089328) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Lehman Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Lehman Foundation has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $1.5M. Assets: $5.9M. 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 208089328. 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 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% 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 208089328 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 demonstrates strong financial health, with assets consistently growing over the past decade, reaching $5,366,438 in 2023. The organization has maintained a very low expense ratio relative to its revenue, particularly in recent years. For example, in 2023, expenses were $331,469 against revenues of $1,219,475, indicating a significant surplus reinvested into assets. This trend of revenue substantially exceeding expenses is a positive indicator of financial stability and capacity for future program growth.
Spending efficiency appears high, as the organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, suggesting that leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not reported as officer compensation. This contributes to a lean operational structure. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities (often $1 or $0) further underscores a healthy balance sheet and responsible financial management.
Transparency is generally good, with a consistent filing history of 10 IRS 990 forms. The absence of reported officer compensation is a key transparency point, indicating that a very high percentage of funds are available for programmatic activities or asset growth. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses within the provided data, a precise assessment of spending efficiency across these categories is limited.