Is Michael And Carol Lowenstein Foundation…

Quick charity verification for Michael And Carol Lowenstein Foundation Inc (EIN: 205953051)

Strengths

Strong financial health with $73,847,742 in assets and minimal liabilities.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency in resource allocation.
Significant asset growth over the past decade, demonstrating effective financial management.
High program spending ratio, as expenses are a small fraction of revenue, allowing for endowment growth and future grantmaking.
Good transparency with 10 years of available IRS 990 filings.

Spending Breakdown

How Michael And Carol Lowenstein Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

95%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

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 Michael And Carol Lowenstein Foundation Inc

Is Michael And Carol Lowenstein Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Michael And Carol Lowenstein Foundation Inc (EIN: 205953051) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Michael And Carol Lowenstein Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?

Michael And Carol Lowenstein Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $34.1M. Assets: $73.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Michael And Carol Lowenstein Foundation Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Michael And Carol Lowenstein Foundation Inc is 205953051. 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 Michael And Carol Lowenstein Foundation Inc spend its money?

Michael And Carol Lowenstein Foundation Inc allocates 95% to programs, 5% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Michael And Carol Lowenstein Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Michael And Carol Lowenstein Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 205953051 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 Michael And Carol Lowenstein Foundation Inc. demonstrates strong financial health with substantial assets, most recently reported at $73,847,742. The organization consistently maintains minimal liabilities, often reported as $1 or $0, indicating a very stable financial position. Revenue has fluctuated significantly over the years, with a notable peak of $26,889,891 in 2021 and $34,139,176 in the latest period, suggesting reliance on investment returns or large, infrequent contributions. The foundation's primary function appears to be grant-making, as indicated by its NTEE code T22 (Private Grantmaking Foundations). 

Spending efficiency is high, as the foundation consistently reports expenses that are a fraction of its revenue, particularly in years with high revenue. For instance, in 2021, expenses were $1,666,586 against $26,889,891 in revenue. This suggests that a significant portion of its income is retained to grow its endowment, which is typical for private foundations. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates that administrative costs are likely very low, or that officers are uncompensated, which contributes to high operational efficiency.

Transparency is generally good, given the availability of 10 years of IRS 990 filings. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a positive indicator of resource allocation directly to charitable purposes or endowment growth. The foundation's financial structure, with high assets and low liabilities, points to a well-managed and fiscally responsible entity focused on long-term philanthropic impact.

Is Michael And Carol Lowenstein Foundation Inc Legit?

Verdict: Michael And Carol Lowenstein Foundation Inc appears trustworthy