How Mary Lou Salisbury 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
5%
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 Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation
Is Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation (EIN: 205504801) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 2 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $217K. Assets: $376K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation is 205504801. 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 Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation spend its money?
Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205504801 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 Mary Lou Salisbury Foundation appears to be a small, private foundation primarily focused on grantmaking, as indicated by its NTEE code T99 (Other). Its financial health shows a consistent pattern of expenses exceeding revenue in most recent years, leading to a gradual decline in assets from $519,437 in 2012 to $386,855 in 2023. For example, in 2023, revenue was $11,867 while expenses were $19,611. This trend suggests the foundation is spending down its principal rather than growing its endowment through new contributions. Given its nature as a private foundation, its spending efficiency should be evaluated in terms of its grantmaking activities relative to administrative costs, though specific program spending details are not provided in the summary data. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation indicates good stewardship regarding executive pay.