Quick charity verification for Melvin And Sylvia Kafka Foundation Inc (EIN: 136134569)
Verdict: Melvin And Sylvia Kafka Foundation Inc shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$33KRevenue
$12KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent decline in assets over the long term, from $58,460 in 2011 to $13,905 in 2023.
Expenses frequently exceed revenue, as seen in 2023 ($14,002 expenses vs. $5,277 revenue) and 2022 ($32,956 expenses vs. $31,831 revenue), indicating potential reliance on asset drawdowns.
Highly volatile revenue, including a negative revenue period in 2012, which can make financial planning challenging.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, demonstrating highly efficient use of funds at the executive level.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a decade, indicating good transparency and compliance.
Very low liabilities, consistently reported as $0 or $1, suggesting strong financial management regarding debt.
Spending Breakdown
How Melvin And Sylvia Kafka Foundation Inc 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 Melvin And Sylvia Kafka Foundation Inc
Is Melvin And Sylvia Kafka Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Melvin And Sylvia Kafka Foundation Inc (EIN: 136134569) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Melvin And Sylvia Kafka Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Melvin And Sylvia Kafka Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $33K. Assets: $12K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Melvin And Sylvia Kafka Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Melvin And Sylvia Kafka Foundation Inc is 136134569. 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 Melvin And Sylvia Kafka Foundation Inc spend its money?
Melvin And Sylvia Kafka Foundation Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Melvin And Sylvia Kafka Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Melvin And Sylvia Kafka Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 136134569 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 Melvin And Sylvia Kafka Foundation Inc appears to be a small private foundation, as indicated by its relatively low revenue and asset base. Over the past decade, its financial activity has been somewhat inconsistent, with revenues fluctuating significantly, for example, from a negative revenue of $-9,447 in 2012 to $31,831 in 2022. Expenses have often exceeded revenue, leading to a decline in assets over the long term, from $58,460 in 2011 to $13,905 in 2023. This suggests that the foundation is spending down its principal or experiencing periods of financial strain.
Given the available data, it's challenging to assess spending efficiency without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses. However, the consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a positive indicator of efficient use of funds at the executive level. The foundation's transparency is generally good, as evidenced by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over the past decade, which provides public access to its financial information.
Overall, while the foundation demonstrates transparency through its filings and prudent executive compensation, its financial health shows a trend of declining assets and inconsistent revenue generation, which could impact its long-term sustainability and grant-making capacity. Further analysis of its grant-making activities would be necessary to fully understand its programmatic impact.