Quick charity verification for Lisa Wendel Memorial Foundation (EIN: 133217479)
Verdict: Lisa Wendel Memorial Foundation appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$2.9MRevenue
$4.5MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant year-over-year revenue and expense volatility (e.g., $2.5M revenue in 2021 vs. $394K in 2022)
Expenses exceeding revenue in multiple recent periods (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019)
Lack of NTEE code, hindering peer comparison and mission clarity.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for mission.
Minimal liabilities across all filing periods, suggesting strong financial solvency.
Substantial asset base, with assets consistently over $2.5 million, providing financial stability.
Spending Breakdown
How Lisa Wendel Memorial Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Lisa Wendel Memorial Foundation
Is Lisa Wendel Memorial Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lisa Wendel Memorial Foundation (EIN: 133217479) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Lisa Wendel Memorial Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Lisa Wendel Memorial Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $2.9M. Assets: $4.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lisa Wendel Memorial Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lisa Wendel Memorial Foundation is 133217479. 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 Lisa Wendel Memorial Foundation spend its money?
Lisa Wendel Memorial Foundation allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lisa Wendel Memorial Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lisa Wendel Memorial Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 133217479 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 Lisa Wendel Memorial Foundation exhibits fluctuating financial health, with recent years showing significant swings in revenue and expenses. For instance, in 2023, the organization reported revenue of $1,046,559 against expenses of $1,294,503, indicating a deficit. This follows a substantial surplus in 2021 where revenue was $2,509,650 and expenses were $784,572. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for resource allocation directly to its mission. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses (program, administrative, fundraising) from the provided data, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities ($0 or $1) across all filings suggests sound financial management in terms of debt. The foundation's assets have also seen fluctuations, peaking at $4,279,972 in 2021 and decreasing to $3,476,054 in 2023, which warrants further investigation into the nature of these asset changes and their impact on long-term sustainability. The lack of an NTEE code makes it difficult to benchmark against similar organizations, which is a minor transparency concern.