Is Marie H Ellis Foundation Legit? —…

Spending Breakdown

How Marie H Ellis 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 Marie H Ellis Foundation

Is Marie H Ellis Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Marie H Ellis Foundation (EIN: 201938555) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Marie H Ellis Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Marie H Ellis Foundation has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $1. Assets: $5K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Marie H Ellis Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Marie H Ellis Foundation is 201938555. 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 Marie H Ellis Foundation spend its money?

Marie H Ellis Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Marie H Ellis Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Marie H Ellis Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 201938555 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 Marie H Ellis Foundation appears to be a very small organization with fluctuating financial activity over the past decade. Its latest reported revenue is only $1, with total assets of $4,795. Historically, its revenue has varied significantly, from a low of $1 in 2019 and 2022 to a high of $39,200 in 2012. Expenses have often exceeded revenue, as seen in 2019 ($2,820 expenses vs. $1 revenue) and 2014 ($24,673 expenses vs. $23,765 revenue), indicating reliance on prior year assets or other funding sources. The organization consistently reports minimal liabilities ($1), suggesting a stable, albeit small, balance sheet.

Given the limited financial data provided, specifically the absence of a detailed functional expense breakdown (program, administrative, fundraising), it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests that leadership is not drawing a salary, which can be a positive indicator of dedication and resource allocation towards the mission. The organization's small scale and inconsistent revenue streams make it difficult to achieve significant impact or economies of scale.

Transparency is generally good through its consistent IRS 990 filings. However, without more detailed expense breakdowns, it's hard to determine the exact proportion of funds directly supporting programs versus overhead. The NTEE code T21 (Foundations, Grantmaking & Giving) suggests its primary activity is grantmaking, but the small asset base limits its capacity for substantial philanthropic impact.

Is Marie H Ellis Foundation Legit?

Verdict: Marie H Ellis Foundation shows mixed signals

Red Flags

Strengths