Quick charity verification for Market Research Foundation (EIN: 204155641)
Verdict: Market Research Foundation shows mixed signals
55/100Mission Score
$428KRevenue
$12KAssets
4Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Significant and consistent decline in revenue since 2016 ($4.6M to $0.4M).
Extremely low asset base ($11,880) relative to historical levels and past expenses.
Multiple years of deficit spending (e.g., 2021, 2019, 2017, 2014) where expenses exceeded revenue.
High volatility in annual revenue and expenses, indicating unpredictable financial planning.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating no direct executive salary burden.
Long filing history (9 filings) provides some transparency into past operations.
Spending Breakdown
How Market Research 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 Market Research Foundation
Is Market Research Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Market Research Foundation (EIN: 204155641) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Market Research Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Market Research Foundation has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $428K. Assets: $12K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Market Research Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Market Research Foundation is 204155641. 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 Market Research Foundation spend its money?
Market Research Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Market Research Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Market Research Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 204155641 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 Market Research Foundation exhibits inconsistent financial performance over the past decade, with significant fluctuations in revenue and expenses. For instance, revenue peaked at $4,647,600 in 2016 but has since declined substantially to $622,000 in 2021 and $427,925 in the latest period. This volatility makes long-term financial planning and stability a concern. The organization has also shown periods of deficit spending, such as in 2021 where expenses ($642,182) exceeded revenue ($622,000), and in 2019 where expenses ($651,301) significantly outstripped revenue ($440,000).
Asset levels have also seen a sharp decline, from a high of $495,922 in 2016 to just $11,880 in the latest period, indicating a potential depletion of reserves or significant asset utilization without replenishment. While the organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which can be a positive sign for donor confidence regarding executive pay, the overall financial health appears precarious given the declining revenue trends and minimal asset base. The lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes a precise assessment of spending efficiency challenging beyond the high-level revenue and expense figures.