Is Norfolk Education Foundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for Norfolk Education Foundation (EIN: 113789355)

Verdict: Norfolk Education Foundation appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score

$233KRevenue

$422KAssets

1Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

Periods of expenses exceeding revenue (e.g., $257,513 expenses vs. $183,186 revenue in 201606)

Strengths

Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating volunteer leadership
Strong asset base ($422,163 in 201706) providing financial stability
Low liabilities ($1,008 in 201706)
Positive revenue-to-expense ratio in the most recent filing (201706: $233,182 revenue vs. $138,538 expenses)

Spending Breakdown

How Norfolk Education 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

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 Norfolk Education Foundation

Is Norfolk Education Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Norfolk Education Foundation (EIN: 113789355) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Norfolk Education Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Norfolk Education Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $233K. Assets: $422K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Norfolk Education Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Norfolk Education Foundation is 113789355. 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 Norfolk Education Foundation spend its money?

Norfolk Education Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Norfolk Education Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Norfolk Education Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 113789355 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 Norfolk Education Foundation demonstrates a generally stable financial position with consistent revenue streams over the past several years, averaging around $200,000 annually. In the most recent filing (201706), the organization reported revenue of $233,182 against expenses of $138,538, resulting in a surplus that contributed to an increase in assets to $422,163. This indicates sound financial management for that period. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds for its mission. While specific program spending details are not provided in the summary data, the absence of officer compensation suggests a high potential for program efficiency.

However, a deeper look at historical data reveals periods where expenses exceeded revenue, such as in 201606 ($257,513 expenses vs. $183,186 revenue) and 201506 ($284,899 expenses vs. $249,403 revenue). These deficits, while not catastrophic given the asset base, suggest that financial performance can fluctuate. The organization's liabilities have remained relatively low, peaking at $21,044 in 201406 and dropping to $1,008 in 201706, indicating good management of debt. The consistent asset base, hovering around $300,000-$400,000, provides a buffer against operational fluctuations.

Overall, the Norfolk Education Foundation appears to be a financially stable organization with a strong commitment to volunteer leadership, as evidenced by zero officer compensation. While there have been periods of deficit spending, the most recent filing shows a healthy surplus and growing assets. Transparency is high regarding executive compensation, but a more detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses would further enhance understanding of spending efficiency.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.