Quick charity verification for Lighten Family Foundation (EIN: 208069108)
Verdict: Lighten Family Foundation appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$2.6MRevenue
$4.9MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Significant fluctuation in annual revenue, making year-over-year comparisons challenging without further context for the latest reported revenue figure.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency and dedication of resources to mission.
Strong and growing asset base, with assets increasing from $4,089,693 in 2020 to $4,382,111 in 2023.
Very low liabilities (consistently $1), demonstrating excellent financial health and minimal debt.
Positive net income in most recent years (e.g., $345,259 revenue vs. $175,890 expenses in 2023), contributing to asset growth.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (10 filings), indicating consistent compliance and transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Lighten Family 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 Lighten Family Foundation
Is Lighten Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lighten Family Foundation (EIN: 208069108) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Lighten Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Lighten Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $2.6M. Assets: $4.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lighten Family Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lighten Family Foundation is 208069108. 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 Lighten Family Foundation spend its money?
Lighten Family Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lighten Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lighten Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 208069108 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 Lighten Family Foundation demonstrates consistent financial stability with assets consistently above $4 million, reaching $4,945,814 in the latest filing. The organization has shown a positive trend in net assets over the past few years, with assets growing from $4,089,693 in 2020 to $4,382,111 in 2023. Revenue has fluctuated, with the latest reported revenue at $2,596,573, significantly higher than previous years, suggesting a substantial one-time or new funding source. Expenses have generally been well-managed relative to revenue, particularly in recent years where revenue has often exceeded expenses, contributing to asset growth.
The foundation's spending efficiency appears strong, especially given that officer compensation has consistently been reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating a volunteer-led or very lean operational structure at the executive level. This suggests that a very high proportion of funds are likely directed towards program services or asset growth. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities (often $1) across all filings also points to a very healthy balance sheet and low financial risk. The NTEE code T20 (Private Grantmaking Foundations) suggests its primary activity is making grants, which inherently implies a focus on program delivery through other organizations.
In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a decade provides a good historical record. The absence of officer compensation simplifies the analysis and generally indicates a commitment to directing resources to the mission rather than administrative overhead for executive salaries. The detailed financial data available through these filings allows for a clear understanding of the foundation's financial activities and asset management.