Quick charity verification for Lyman Fund Inc (EIN: 20471515)
Verdict: Lyman Fund Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$172KRevenue
$918KAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant annual deficits in some periods (e.g., 202306: Expenses $74,838 vs. Revenue $31,377)
Strengths
Consistently 0% officer compensation, indicating volunteer leadership and low overhead.
Strong and growing asset base, providing long-term financial stability.
Very low liabilities across all reported periods, demonstrating good debt management.
Consistent filing history, indicating transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Lyman Fund Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Lyman Fund Inc
Is Lyman Fund Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lyman Fund Inc (EIN: 20471515) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Lyman Fund Inc a good charity to donate to?
Lyman Fund Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $172K. Assets: $918K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lyman Fund Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lyman Fund Inc is 20471515. 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 Fund Inc spend its money?
Lyman Fund Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lyman Fund Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lyman Fund Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 20471515 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 Fund Inc. demonstrates a consistent financial history with assets generally growing over the past decade, reaching $962,159 in the most recent filing (202306). However, the organization has experienced fluctuating revenues and expenses. For instance, in 202306, expenses ($74,838) significantly outpaced revenue ($31,377), leading to a net deficit for that period. Conversely, in 202206, revenue ($87,579) comfortably exceeded expenses ($39,402). This pattern suggests that the organization may rely on its substantial asset base to cover operational costs in years with lower income, which is a common strategy for endowed funds. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings indicates a strong commitment to minimizing administrative overhead related to executive pay and suggests a volunteer-driven leadership model, which enhances transparency and efficiency from a compensation perspective. The organization's liabilities have remained very low, typically under $5,000, indicating good financial management and minimal debt burden.