Is M J Surgala Tr Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How M J Surgala Tr allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 M J Surgala Tr

Is M J Surgala Tr a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, M J Surgala Tr (EIN: 116556638) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is M J Surgala Tr a good charity to donate to?

M J Surgala Tr has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $881K. Assets: $23.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for M J Surgala Tr?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for M J Surgala Tr is 116556638. 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 M J Surgala Tr spend its money?

M J Surgala Tr allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify M J Surgala Tr's tax-exempt status?

You can verify M J Surgala Tr's tax-exempt status using EIN 116556638 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

M J Surgala Tr appears to be a private foundation, as indicated by its NTEE code T20 (Private Grantmaking Foundations) and consistent pattern of expenses exceeding revenue, suggesting grant distributions rather than program service revenue. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation across all available filings, which is a strong indicator of efficient administrative spending and a commitment to directing funds towards its charitable purpose. However, the filings do not provide a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, which limits a full assessment of spending efficiency. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities (often $1) across most periods suggests sound financial management and low debt burden.

Over the past five years (2019-2023), the organization's assets have shown significant growth, from $10,911,401 in 2019 to $19,150,904 in 2023, indicating effective investment management or substantial contributions. While revenue fluctuates, expenses consistently outpace revenue, which is typical for a grantmaking foundation distributing funds. For example, in 2023, revenue was $406,592 while expenses were $816,226. This consistent distribution of funds, coupled with zero officer compensation, points to a financially healthy and mission-focused entity, though the lack of detailed expense categorization in the provided data is a minor transparency limitation for a granular spending analysis.

Verdict: M J Surgala Tr appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths