Is Lyn & Margaret Comfort Charitable Foundation Legit?
Quick charity verification for Lyn & Margaret Comfort Charitable Foundation (EIN: 201985235)
Verdict: Lyn & Margaret Comfort Charitable Foundation appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$167KRevenue
$418KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent deficit spending (expenses exceeding revenue in most years, e.g., 202406, 202306, 201606, 201406, 201306, 201206)
Declining revenue in recent years (e.g., $51,419 in 202206 down to $15,710 in 202406)
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating high efficiency in leadership costs.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating transparency.
Stable asset base over a long period, suggesting prudent management of its endowment despite deficit spending.
Spending Breakdown
How Lyn & Margaret Comfort Charitable 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 Lyn & Margaret Comfort Charitable Foundation
Is Lyn & Margaret Comfort Charitable Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lyn & Margaret Comfort Charitable Foundation (EIN: 201985235) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Lyn & Margaret Comfort Charitable Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Lyn & Margaret Comfort Charitable Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $167K. Assets: $418K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Lyn & Margaret Comfort Charitable Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lyn & Margaret Comfort Charitable Foundation is 201985235. 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 Lyn & Margaret Comfort Charitable Foundation spend its money?
Lyn & Margaret Comfort Charitable Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Lyn & Margaret Comfort Charitable Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Lyn & Margaret Comfort Charitable Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 201985235 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 Lyn & Margaret Comfort Charitable Foundation appears to be a small, private foundation with a consistent asset base, typically ranging between $344,746 and $475,570 over the past decade. Its financial health shows a pattern of expenses frequently exceeding revenue, as seen in the latest filing (202406) where expenses were $44,097 against revenue of $15,710, and similarly in 202306 ($37,814 expenses vs. $18,200 revenue). This suggests the foundation is drawing down on its principal or relying on prior year surpluses to fund its activities. The organization's transparency is high given its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s and the explicit reporting of zero officer compensation across all available filings, indicating a volunteer-led or minimally compensated leadership structure. However, without detailed expense breakdowns beyond total expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency, though the lack of officer compensation is a positive indicator for program focus.