Quick charity verification for Olean Foundation (EIN: 222496957)
Verdict: Olean Foundation appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$147KRevenue
$1.0MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent reporting of $0 executive compensation raises questions about how leadership is compensated or if services are provided pro bono, which could be unsustainable.
Administrative expenses appear high relative to total expenses in some years (e.g., 2023: $60,221 expenses with $53,363 revenue, suggesting a significant portion of expenses are administrative or non-programmatic).
Revenue has been highly inconsistent, ranging from $26,746 (2020) to $159,528 (2014), making long-term financial planning and program stability challenging.
Strengths
The organization maintains a strong asset base, consistently over $800,000, providing a buffer against revenue fluctuations.
The foundation has a long operational history with consistent filings dating back to at least 2013, indicating stability and compliance.
Low liabilities reported across all years (often $0 or very low) suggest good financial health and minimal debt burden.
Spending Breakdown
How Olean Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
30%
Program Spending
Concerning — less than half to programs
50%
Admin Costs
High — over 25% on administration
20%
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 Olean Foundation
Is Olean Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Olean Foundation (EIN: 222496957) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Olean Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Olean Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $147K. Assets: $1.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Olean Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Olean Foundation is 222496957. 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 Olean Foundation spend its money?
Olean Foundation allocates 30% to programs, 50% to administration, and 20% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Olean Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Olean Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 222496957 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
Olean Foundation is a philanthropy, voluntarism & grantmaking nonprofit based in Westerly, Rhode Island, with reported revenue of $147K and assets of $1.0M. Our AI analysis assigns a Mission Score of 75/100 (Good). Approximately 30% of spending goes to programs, 50% to administration, and 20% to fundraising. The Olean Foundation consistently reports $0 in compensation for officers, directors, trustees, and key employees across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization with over $1 million in assets and suggests potential for undisclosed compensation or an entirely volunteer-run Revenue has declined -40% across 10 filing periods.