Is Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation Inc (EIN: 201787893)
Verdict: Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$3.7MRevenue
$1.9MAssets
1Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant year-over-year volatility in revenue and assets without clear explanation in summary data.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency in executive overhead.
Revenues generally cover expenses, demonstrating financial stability in operations (e.g., $3,652,870 revenue vs. $3,608,121 expenses in 202406).
Strong asset base in certain periods, suggesting capacity for significant research initiatives (e.g., $17,172,069 in assets in 202206).
Spending Breakdown
How Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation Inc 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 Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation Inc
Is Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation Inc (EIN: 201787893) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $3.7M. Assets: $1.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation Inc is 201787893. 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 Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation Inc spend its money?
Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 201787893 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 Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation Inc. demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with recent revenues closely matching expenses. For the period ending 202406, the organization reported revenues of $3,652,870 against expenses of $3,608,121, indicating efficient management of resources. However, there's significant volatility in revenue and asset figures across different years, notably a peak revenue of $7,339,516 in 202206 and a substantial asset base of $17,172,069 in the same period, which then decreased to $2,034,552 by 202406. This fluctuation warrants further investigation to understand the underlying causes, such as specific grant cycles or project completions.
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is a strong indicator of financial efficiency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. While specific breakdowns of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses are not provided in the summary data, the overall close alignment of revenues and expenses suggests a lean operational model. The absence of officer compensation also contributes positively to its transparency and public trust.