Quick charity verification for Nelson Family Foundation (EIN: 134120076)
Verdict: Nelson Family Foundation appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$303KRevenue
$975KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits (expenses exceeding revenue in most years, e.g., $65,465 expenses vs. $65,101 revenue in 2023).
Gradual decline in total assets over the past decade (from $1,280,054 in 2011 to $990,692 in 2023).
Strengths
No officer compensation reported (0% officer comp across all filings), indicating efficient use of funds for governance.
Very low liabilities ($1 consistently reported), indicating a strong balance sheet.
Stable asset base near $1 million, providing a solid foundation for its philanthropic activities.
Spending Breakdown
How Nelson Family Foundation 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 Nelson Family Foundation
Is Nelson Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Nelson Family Foundation (EIN: 134120076) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Nelson Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Nelson Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $303K. Assets: $975K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Nelson Family Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Nelson Family Foundation is 134120076. 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 Nelson Family Foundation spend its money?
Nelson Family Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Nelson Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Nelson Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 134120076 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 Nelson Family Foundation appears to be a private foundation, as indicated by its consistent asset base and relatively low revenue and expense figures over the years. Its financial health is stable, with assets consistently near the $1 million mark, currently at $975,404. However, the foundation has frequently operated at a deficit, with expenses exceeding revenue in most recent periods, such as in 2023 where expenses were $65,465 against revenues of $65,101, and in 2022 with $74,270 in expenses versus $10,055 in revenue. This suggests it is drawing down on its principal or relying on investment returns not fully captured in the 'Revenue' line item for its operational funding.
The spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program service expenses versus administrative and fundraising costs, which are not provided in the summary data. However, given the nature of a private foundation, a significant portion of its expenses would typically be grants or contributions to other organizations. The consistent 'Officer Comp=0%' across all filings indicates strong transparency regarding executive compensation, as no salaries are paid to officers. The foundation's liabilities have consistently been reported as $1, suggesting a very healthy balance sheet with minimal debt.
Overall, the foundation demonstrates financial stability in terms of assets but a pattern of spending exceeding reported annual revenue. Its transparency regarding executive compensation is excellent. A more detailed breakdown of expenses would be needed to fully evaluate spending efficiency, but the consistent asset base suggests a well-managed endowment supporting its philanthropic activities.