Quick charity verification for Marie Leist Foundation Inc (EIN: 203954960)
Verdict: Marie Leist Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$178KRevenue
$847KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits, with expenses frequently exceeding revenue (e.g., 2023 expenses $61,985 vs. revenue $30,586).
Reliance on existing assets to cover operational shortfalls, which is not a sustainable long-term strategy.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-driven leadership and efficient use of funds.
Stable asset base, consistently around $850,000 over the past decade.
Minimal liabilities, consistently reported as $0 or $1, demonstrating strong debt management.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history, indicating good transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Marie Leist Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
20%
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 Marie Leist Foundation Inc
Is Marie Leist Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Marie Leist Foundation Inc (EIN: 203954960) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Marie Leist Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Marie Leist Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $178K. Assets: $847K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Marie Leist Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Marie Leist Foundation Inc is 203954960. 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 Leist Foundation Inc spend its money?
Marie Leist Foundation Inc allocates 80% to programs, 20% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Marie Leist Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Marie Leist Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 203954960 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 Leist Foundation Inc. demonstrates consistent financial stability with assets consistently around $850,000 over the past decade, currently at $847,377. However, the organization has frequently operated at a deficit, with expenses exceeding revenue in most recent periods, such as in 2023 where expenses were $61,985 against revenues of $30,586, and in 2022 with $66,470 in expenses versus $42,877 in revenue. This trend suggests reliance on its asset base or prior year surpluses to cover operational costs, which is not sustainable long-term without a significant increase in revenue or reduction in expenses.
The foundation's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, as the provided data only includes total expenses. However, the consistent zero officer compensation across all filings indicates a volunteer-driven leadership, which can significantly reduce administrative overhead. The organization's liabilities have consistently been minimal ($0-$1), indicating strong financial management regarding debt.
Transparency is generally good given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s. The lack of officer compensation is a positive indicator of resource allocation towards the mission rather than executive salaries. However, a more detailed breakdown of expenses would enhance transparency and allow for a clearer understanding of how funds are being utilized across programs, administration, and fundraising.