Quick charity verification for Lion Foundation (EIN: 200081148)
Verdict: Lion Foundation appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$6.9MRevenue
$14.4MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Significant year-over-year revenue volatility, requiring careful analysis of funding sources.
Strengths
Consistent financial surpluses, contributing to asset growth.
Zero reported officer compensation, indicating high operational efficiency.
Minimal to no liabilities, demonstrating strong financial health.
Substantial and growing asset base, providing long-term stability.
High program spending ratio due to low administrative overhead.
Spending Breakdown
How Lion Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
95%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 Lion Foundation
Is Lion Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lion Foundation (EIN: 200081148) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Lion Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Lion Foundation has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $6.9M. Assets: $14.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lion Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lion Foundation is 200081148. 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 Lion Foundation spend its money?
Lion Foundation allocates 95% to programs, 5% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lion Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lion Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200081148 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 Lion Foundation demonstrates strong financial health and efficiency, particularly in its program spending. In 2022, the organization reported revenue of $4,091,931 against expenses of $583,770, indicating a significant surplus that contributes to its substantial asset base of $11,592,477. This trend of revenue exceeding expenses is consistent across multiple years, with notable growth in assets from $9,329,407 in 2013 to over $11 million in recent years. The foundation's liabilities have consistently been reported as $0 in most filings, suggesting a very healthy balance sheet and minimal financial risk.
The organization's spending efficiency is excellent, with a very high proportion of expenses directed towards programs. The absence of reported officer compensation across all available filings indicates a volunteer-led or very lean administrative structure, further enhancing its efficiency. This commitment to minimizing administrative overhead allows a greater share of resources to be allocated directly to its mission. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 12 periods also points to a good level of transparency in its financial operations.