Quick charity verification for Marilyn And Sonny Oates Foundation (EIN: 208084868)
Verdict: Marilyn And Sonny Oates Foundation appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$1.2MRevenue
$10.7MAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds.
Maintains a substantial asset base of over $10 million, demonstrating strong financial health and sustainability.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history (10 filings) shows good compliance and transparency.
Low liabilities across most years, suggesting sound financial management.
As a private foundation (NTEE T20), its primary function is grantmaking, which inherently focuses on program support.
Spending Breakdown
How Marilyn And Sonny Oates 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 Marilyn And Sonny Oates Foundation
Is Marilyn And Sonny Oates Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Marilyn And Sonny Oates Foundation (EIN: 208084868) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Marilyn And Sonny Oates Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Marilyn And Sonny Oates Foundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $1.2M. Assets: $10.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Marilyn And Sonny Oates Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Marilyn And Sonny Oates Foundation is 208084868. 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 Marilyn And Sonny Oates Foundation spend its money?
Marilyn And Sonny Oates Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Marilyn And Sonny Oates Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Marilyn And Sonny Oates Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 208084868 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 Marilyn And Sonny Oates Foundation appears to be a well-established private foundation with over $10 million in assets. Its financial health shows some variability in annual revenue and expenses, which is common for foundations that primarily make grants. For instance, in 2020, the foundation reported a significant revenue of $15,482,909 and expenses of $9,757,280, likely due to a large contribution or investment gain, while other years show more modest figures, such as $444,851 in revenue and $576,573 in expenses in 2023. The foundation consistently reports zero officer compensation, indicating a strong commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries.
The spending efficiency is generally good, as private foundations typically have lower administrative overhead compared to public charities that engage in direct program delivery and fundraising. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all filings is a positive indicator of efficient use of funds. However, without a detailed breakdown of program service expenses versus administrative and fundraising costs from the provided data, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. Given its nature as a foundation, most expenses are expected to be grants and related administrative costs.
In terms of transparency, the foundation has a consistent filing history with 10 IRS 990 filings, which is a good sign of compliance. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation enhances its transparency profile. The low liabilities across most years (often $1) suggest sound financial management and minimal debt, further contributing to a positive transparency assessment. The NTEE code T20 indicates it is a private grantmaking foundation, which typically operates with a different financial structure than direct service charities.