Is Mark Ross Montessori Foundation Legit? —…

Quick charity verification for Mark Ross Montessori Foundation (EIN: 202556775)

Spending Breakdown

How Mark Ross Montessori Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

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 Mark Ross Montessori Foundation

Is Mark Ross Montessori Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Mark Ross Montessori Foundation (EIN: 202556775) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Mark Ross Montessori Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Mark Ross Montessori Foundation has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $441K. Assets: $7.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Mark Ross Montessori Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Mark Ross Montessori Foundation is 202556775. 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 Mark Ross Montessori Foundation spend its money?

Mark Ross Montessori Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Mark Ross Montessori Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Mark Ross Montessori Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 202556775 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 Mark Ross Montessori Foundation demonstrates consistent financial transparency, with 14 filings available and no reported officer compensation, which is a positive indicator. However, the organization has consistently operated at a deficit in recent years, with expenses exceeding revenue in the last four reported periods (e.g., 202406: Revenue=$464,583, Expenses=$522,168; 202306: Revenue=$498,943, Expenses=$563,046). This trend suggests a reliance on existing assets or other funding sources to cover operational costs.

While the organization maintains substantial assets ($7,629,377 in 202406), a significant portion is offset by liabilities ($6,151,698 in 202406), indicating a high debt-to-asset ratio. The consistent decline in total assets from a peak of $9,204,761 in 201606 to $7,629,377 in 202406, coupled with increasing liabilities, warrants closer examination. The lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes it difficult to fully assess spending efficiency across programs, administration, and fundraising.

Overall, the foundation appears transparent in its reporting, but its financial health shows signs of strain due to recurring deficits and a declining asset base relative to liabilities. A more detailed analysis of program spending versus administrative and fundraising costs would be necessary to fully evaluate its spending efficiency and impact.

Is Mark Ross Montessori Foundation Legit?

Verdict: Mark Ross Montessori Foundation appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths