Quick charity verification for Minneapolis Parks Foundation (EIN: 200715686)
Verdict: Minneapolis Parks Foundation appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$5.3MRevenue
$17.7MAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Significant increase in liabilities in 202312 without clear explanation in summary data
Unusually consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, potentially obscuring executive pay details
Strengths
Strong revenue generation in the latest filing ($12,805,116 in 202312)
Low expense ratio relative to revenue in the latest filing ($1,746,389 expenses vs. $12,805,116 revenue in 202312)
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, indicating high dedication to mission or volunteer leadership
Significant growth in assets over time, reaching $13,795,160 in 202312
Long history of IRS 990 filings (14 periods), demonstrating commitment to transparency and compliance
Spending Breakdown
How Minneapolis Parks Foundation 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 Minneapolis Parks Foundation
Is Minneapolis Parks Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Minneapolis Parks Foundation (EIN: 200715686) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Minneapolis Parks Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Minneapolis Parks Foundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $5.3M. Assets: $17.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Minneapolis Parks Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Minneapolis Parks Foundation is 200715686. 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 Minneapolis Parks Foundation spend its money?
Minneapolis Parks Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Minneapolis Parks Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Minneapolis Parks Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200715686 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 Minneapolis Parks Foundation demonstrates a fluctuating but generally strong financial position, particularly in its most recent filing period (202312) where it reported a substantial revenue of $12,805,116 against expenses of $1,746,389. This indicates a significant surplus and capacity for program investment. The organization's assets have also seen considerable growth, reaching $13,795,160 in 202312, up from $2,888,627 in 202212, suggesting successful fundraising and asset management. However, the liabilities also increased significantly to $10,020,253 in 202312, which warrants closer examination to understand their nature (e.g., program-related commitments vs. debt).
Spending efficiency appears robust, especially in the latest period where expenses are a relatively small fraction of revenue. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a notable strength, indicating that executive leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which enhances public trust and suggests a high dedication to mission over personal gain. This practice contributes positively to the organization's transparency and perceived efficiency.
The organization's financial history shows periods of both significant revenue and expense fluctuations, with some years (e.g., 202012, 201912, 201812) where expenses exceeded revenue, indicating strategic investments or project-based spending. The overall trend, however, points towards a well-managed organization capable of attracting substantial funding for its mission. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 14 periods demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency.