Quick charity verification for Meerwarth Family Foundation (EIN: 137018740)
Verdict: Meerwarth Family Foundation appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$7.6MRevenue
$12.6MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent negative net income (expenses exceeding revenue) in recent years, drawing down assets.
Lack of specific NTEE code or program details makes it difficult to assess programmatic impact.
Strengths
Substantial asset base ($12,324,376 in 2023) provides a strong financial foundation.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds at the executive level.
Minimal liabilities ($1 across all filings) demonstrates excellent financial health and no debt.
Consistent filing history provides good transparency into financial operations.
Spending Breakdown
How Meerwarth Family 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 Meerwarth Family Foundation
Is Meerwarth Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Meerwarth Family Foundation (EIN: 137018740) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Meerwarth Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Meerwarth Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $7.6M. Assets: $12.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Meerwarth Family Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Meerwarth Family Foundation is 137018740. 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 Meerwarth Family Foundation spend its money?
Meerwarth Family Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Meerwarth Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Meerwarth Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 137018740 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 Meerwarth Family Foundation appears to be a private foundation, as indicated by its consistent pattern of low revenue relative to its assets and significant expenses, often exceeding revenue. For instance, in 2023, the foundation reported only $75,309 in revenue against $1,067,677 in expenses, drawing down its assets. This operational model is typical for foundations that disburse grants from an endowment rather than actively fundraising from the public. Its financial health is stable, with substantial assets of $12,324,376 in 2023, providing a strong base for its philanthropic activities despite recent years of negative net income. The foundation consistently reports minimal liabilities ($1), suggesting a very healthy balance sheet with virtually no debt.
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, the absence of officer compensation (0% reported across all filings) is a positive indicator of efficient use of funds, as it suggests that the foundation's leadership may be unpaid or compensated through other means not captured as officer compensation. The consistent decline in assets from a peak of $13,915,246 in 2021 to $12,324,376 in 2023, while still substantial, warrants attention to ensure sustainable grantmaking in the long term.
Transparency is generally good given the availability of 990 filings. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a strong point for transparency regarding executive pay. However, without NTEE codes or more detailed expense breakdowns, it's challenging to fully understand the specific programmatic focus and the efficiency of its grantmaking operations. The foundation's consistent financial reporting over a decade provides a clear historical view of its financial activities.