Quick charity verification for Morgan Creek Foundation (EIN: 203999739)
Verdict: Morgan Creek Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$284KRevenue
$4.2MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant year-to-year revenue volatility (e.g., $6,245 in 2013 vs. $1,088,407 in 2019) could indicate reliance on unpredictable funding sources.
Consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities across multiple years is unusual and might mask actual financial obligations or represent a simplified reporting practice.
Strengths
Strong asset base ($4,208,593 latest) provides financial stability and long-term sustainability.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings indicates highly efficient use of funds at the executive level.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history demonstrates commitment to transparency and compliance.
Low reported liabilities (often $1) suggests a conservative financial approach or minimal debt.
Spending Breakdown
How Morgan Creek 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 Morgan Creek Foundation
Is Morgan Creek Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Morgan Creek Foundation (EIN: 203999739) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Morgan Creek Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Morgan Creek Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $284K. Assets: $4.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Morgan Creek Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Morgan Creek Foundation is 203999739. 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 Morgan Creek Foundation spend its money?
Morgan Creek Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Morgan Creek Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Morgan Creek Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 203999739 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 Morgan Creek Foundation demonstrates consistent financial stability with substantial assets relative to its annual revenue. While the organization's revenue has fluctuated significantly over the past decade, from a low of $6,245 in 2013 to a high of $1,088,407 in 2019, its asset base has remained robust, currently standing at $4,208,593. This suggests a strong endowment or investment strategy supporting its operations.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, which is not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all available filings is a strong indicator of efficient use of funds, as it suggests a volunteer-led or very lean operational structure at the executive level. This practice significantly reduces overhead costs.
In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a decade indicates a commitment to public disclosure. The absence of reported liabilities (often $1) across most filings is unusual and might warrant further investigation into the balance sheet details to ensure complete financial picture, though it could also indicate a very conservative financial approach. The lack of officer compensation is a positive transparency signal, showing that leadership is not drawing salaries from the organization's funds.