Is Lyman B Pope Jr Foundation Legit? —…

Red Flags

Consistent deficit spending (expenses significantly exceeding revenue) across multiple years, leading to asset depletion.
Dramatic decline in assets from $979,725 in 2011 to $0 in the latest period.
Latest filing shows $0 revenue and $0 assets, indicating potential inactivity or dissolution without clear explanation.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data, hindering efficiency analysis.

Spending Breakdown

How Lyman B Pope Jr Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

70%

Program Spending

Below average — room for improvement

20%

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 Lyman B Pope Jr Foundation

Is Lyman B Pope Jr Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lyman B Pope Jr Foundation (EIN: 20516305) has notable concerns. Mission Score: 30/100. 4 red flags identified, 1 strength noted.

Is Lyman B Pope Jr Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Lyman B Pope Jr Foundation has a Mission Score of 30/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Lyman B Pope Jr Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lyman B Pope Jr Foundation is 20516305. 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 Lyman B Pope Jr Foundation spend its money?

Lyman B Pope Jr Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Lyman B Pope Jr Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Lyman B Pope Jr Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 20516305 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 Lyman B Pope Jr Foundation appears to be a small, private foundation that has experienced a significant decline in financial activity and assets over the past five years. From 2011 to 2015, its assets decreased from $979,725 to $62,480, and its revenue has consistently been lower than its expenses, indicating a reliance on existing assets or a winding down of operations. The latest filing shows $0 in both revenue and assets, suggesting it may be inactive or in the process of dissolution. The organization consistently reported 0% officer compensation, which is a positive indicator of volunteer leadership or minimal administrative overhead in that specific area.

The foundation's spending efficiency is difficult to assess without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, which is not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent deficit spending (expenses exceeding revenue) across multiple years, culminating in zero assets and revenue, raises concerns about its long-term financial viability and impact. The lack of detailed expense categories also limits the ability to fully evaluate how efficiently funds were used when the organization was active. Given the current $0 revenue and assets, its operational capacity is effectively nil.

Transparency regarding executive compensation is good, with 0% reported. However, the overall financial picture, particularly the dramatic decline and current inactive status, suggests a need for more context regarding its operational changes or cessation. Without more detailed expense breakdowns, a comprehensive assessment of spending efficiency is challenging, but the trend of declining assets and revenue is a clear indicator of financial contraction.

Is Lyman B Pope Jr Foundation Legit?

Verdict: Lyman B Pope Jr Foundation has notable concerns