Is Leonard And Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation Legit?
Quick charity verification for Leonard And Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation (EIN: 206261070)
Verdict: Leonard And Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$93KRevenue
$582KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant decline in assets from $2.2M in 2021 to $617K in 2023.
Expenses consistently exceeding revenue in multiple recent periods (e.g., 2023, 2022), leading to net losses.
Negative revenue reported in 2015 and 2011, indicating potential investment losses or significant returns/adjustments.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating no executive salaries.
Minimal liabilities ($1) across all reported periods, suggesting sound debt management.
History of substantial assets, even with recent declines, indicating a solid financial base at one point.
Spending Breakdown
How Leonard And Esther Nowak Charitable 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 Leonard And Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation
Is Leonard And Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Leonard And Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation (EIN: 206261070) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Leonard And Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Leonard And Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $93K. Assets: $582K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Leonard And Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Leonard And Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation is 206261070. 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 Leonard And Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation spend its money?
Leonard And Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Leonard And Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Leonard And Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 206261070 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 Leonard And Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation demonstrates a mixed financial picture. While the organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, indicating good transparency regarding executive pay, its financial stability has shown significant fluctuations. In 2023, expenses ($127,967) significantly outstripped revenue ($53,883), leading to a net loss. This trend of expenses exceeding revenue is also evident in 2022, 2014, 2012, and 2011, suggesting potential reliance on prior year reserves or investment income. The substantial decrease in assets from $2,208,483 in 2021 to $617,632 in 2023 warrants closer examination, as it represents a significant depletion of resources over a short period.
The foundation's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent reporting of minimal liabilities ($1) across all periods suggests sound financial management in terms of debt. The NTEE code T20 indicates a focus on 'Private Grantmaking Foundations,' implying that most expenses would ideally be in the form of grants to other organizations. The lack of detailed expense categories in the provided data limits a precise evaluation of how efficiently funds are being directed towards its mission.
Overall, the foundation exhibits strong transparency in executive compensation but faces challenges with revenue generation relative to expenses and a notable decline in assets. Further detailed financial statements would be necessary to fully understand the allocation of expenses and the long-term sustainability of its operations given the recent asset depletion.