Is Michael J Fox Foundation For Parkinsons Research Legit?
Quick charity verification for Michael J Fox Foundation For Parkinsons Research (EIN: 134141945)
Verdict: Michael J Fox Foundation For Parkinsons Research appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$1.5BRevenue
$439.0MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Latest filing (202312) shows expenses exceeding revenue by $70,081,037, which could indicate a temporary operational deficit or strategic spending.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all 13 filings, indicating strong financial stewardship and mission focus.
Significant and consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $83M in 2014 to over $1.4B latest reported.
Substantial growth in assets, from $117M in 2014 to $439M currently, providing financial stability.
Healthy asset-to-liability ratio, with assets of $349,458,390 and liabilities of $214,422,950 in the latest filing, indicating good financial health.
Spending Breakdown
How Michael J Fox Foundation For Parkinsons Research allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Michael J Fox Foundation For Parkinsons Research
Is Michael J Fox Foundation For Parkinsons Research a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Michael J Fox Foundation For Parkinsons Research (EIN: 134141945) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Michael J Fox Foundation For Parkinsons Research a good charity to donate to?
Michael J Fox Foundation For Parkinsons Research has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $1.5B. Assets: $439.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Michael J Fox Foundation For Parkinsons Research?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Michael J Fox Foundation For Parkinsons Research is 134141945. 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 J Fox Foundation For Parkinsons Research spend its money?
Michael J Fox Foundation For Parkinsons Research allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Michael J Fox Foundation For Parkinsons Research's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Michael J Fox Foundation For Parkinsons Research's tax-exempt status using EIN 134141945 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 J Fox Foundation For Parkinsons Research demonstrates strong financial health and a clear commitment to its mission. Over the past several years, the organization has consistently shown robust revenue growth, culminating in a latest reported revenue of $1,471,853,058. While the most recent filing (202312) shows expenses exceeding revenue ($386,159,309 vs $316,078,272), this appears to be an anomaly in an otherwise positive trend of managing expenses relative to income. The organization's assets have also grown significantly, reaching $439,010,892, indicating a solid financial foundation.
Spending efficiency appears to be a core strength, with a significant portion of expenses directed towards program services. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a notable indicator of transparency and a focus on mission-driven spending rather than executive enrichment. This practice, combined with a healthy asset base, suggests the organization is well-managed and prioritizes its programmatic work.
Overall, the foundation exhibits a high degree of financial transparency, particularly through its detailed IRS 990 filings and the absence of reported officer compensation. Its consistent growth in revenue and assets, alongside a strong program focus, positions it as a financially sound and efficient nonprofit dedicated to its cause.