Is Max Kade Foundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for Max Kade Foundation (EIN: 135658082)

Verdict: Max Kade Foundation appears trustworthy

75/100Mission Score

$38.9MRevenue

$52.3MAssets

2Red Flags

3Strengths

Red Flags

Consistent operational deficits (expenses exceeding revenue) over the past decade, e.g., $5,394,406 expenses vs. $2,571,290 revenue in 2023.
Declining asset base from $73,667,326 in 2011 to $49,557,511 in 2023, indicating reliance on capital depletion.

Strengths

Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds at the executive level.
Very low reported liabilities across all periods, suggesting strong financial management and minimal debt.
Substantial asset base of $49,557,511 (2023) provides significant financial stability despite operational deficits.

Spending Breakdown

How Max Kade Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

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 Max Kade Foundation

Is Max Kade Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Max Kade Foundation (EIN: 135658082) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Max Kade Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Max Kade Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $38.9M. Assets: $52.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Max Kade Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Max Kade Foundation is 135658082. 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 Max Kade Foundation spend its money?

Max Kade Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Max Kade Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Max Kade Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 135658082 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 Max Kade Foundation exhibits a consistent pattern of spending exceeding its revenue over the past decade, as evidenced by its IRS 990 filings. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $5,394,406 against revenue of $2,571,290, and in 2022, expenses were $5,560,204 against revenue of $1,683,430. This operational deficit suggests the organization is likely drawing from its substantial asset base, which has decreased from $73,667,326 in 2011 to $49,557,511 in 2023. While this is not inherently negative for a foundation with a large endowment, it indicates a spending strategy that relies on capital depletion rather than self-sufficiency from annual income.

The foundation's financial health, while supported by significant assets, shows a trend of declining asset value. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings is a notable aspect of its transparency, suggesting either a volunteer-led executive structure or compensation being reported under different categories. The low liabilities reported across all periods indicate sound financial management regarding debt. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a complete assessment of spending efficiency is challenging.

Overall, the Max Kade Foundation appears to be a well-managed entity in terms of debt, but its long-term sustainability hinges on its ability to manage its asset depletion rate or increase its revenue generation to cover its consistent operational deficits. The lack of reported officer compensation is a positive transparency indicator, but more detailed expense breakdowns would enhance understanding of its spending efficiency.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.