Quick charity verification for May Ellen & Gerald Ritter Foundation (EIN: 136114269)
Verdict: May Ellen & Gerald Ritter Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$1.0MRevenue
$8.0MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Long-term decline in assets from $10.5M in 2011 to $7.9M in 2023, suggesting consistent spending exceeding investment returns or new contributions over time.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data limits granular analysis of spending efficiency.
Minimal liabilities ($1 or $0 across all filings) demonstrating strong financial health and no significant debt.
Consistent asset base, despite a long-term decline, allowing for continued grantmaking activities.
Regular IRS 990 filings demonstrate transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How May Ellen & Gerald Ritter 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 May Ellen & Gerald Ritter Foundation
Is May Ellen & Gerald Ritter Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, May Ellen & Gerald Ritter Foundation (EIN: 136114269) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is May Ellen & Gerald Ritter Foundation a good charity to donate to?
May Ellen & Gerald Ritter Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $1.0M. Assets: $8.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for May Ellen & Gerald Ritter Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for May Ellen & Gerald Ritter Foundation is 136114269. 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 May Ellen & Gerald Ritter Foundation spend its money?
May Ellen & Gerald Ritter Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify May Ellen & Gerald Ritter Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify May Ellen & Gerald Ritter Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 136114269 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 May Ellen & Gerald Ritter Foundation appears to be a private foundation, as indicated by its consistent revenue streams and asset base, and the absence of officer compensation. Its financial health shows some fluctuation in revenue and expenses over the past decade. For example, in 2023, the foundation reported revenue of $878,937 against expenses of $706,954, resulting in a surplus. However, in 2022, expenses ($804,396) exceeded revenue ($686,712), indicating a deficit for that period. The foundation's assets have generally declined over the long term, from $10,549,576 in 2011 to $7,896,118 in 2023, suggesting consistent grantmaking or investment losses exceeding gains.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, as a private foundation, its primary function is typically grantmaking, which would be considered program spending. The consistent 'Officer Comp=0%' across all filings suggests a lean operational structure regarding executive salaries, which is a positive indicator for efficiency.
Transparency is generally good given the availability of IRS 990 filings. The consistent reporting of key financial metrics over a long period allows for trend analysis. The lack of detailed expense categories beyond total expenses, however, limits a deeper understanding of how funds are allocated between program activities and overhead. The foundation's minimal liabilities ($1 or $0) across all periods indicate strong financial stability and a lack of significant debt.