Is Owen Cheatham Foundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for Owen Cheatham Foundation (EIN: 136097798)

Verdict: Owen Cheatham Foundation appears trustworthy

80/100Mission Score

$5.3MRevenue

$5.4MAssets

2Red Flags

5Strengths

Red Flags

Negative revenue reported in 2023 (-$63,502) without immediate explanation
NTEE Code is 'Unknown', hindering understanding of specific mission focus

Strengths

Consistent healthy asset base (over $4 million for all reported periods)
Very low liabilities across all filing periods, indicating minimal debt
0% officer compensation reported, suggesting highly efficient leadership costs
Consistent filing history (10 filings), indicating good transparency practices
Expenses generally well-controlled relative to revenue in most years

Spending Breakdown

How Owen Cheatham 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 Owen Cheatham Foundation

Is Owen Cheatham Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Owen Cheatham Foundation (EIN: 136097798) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 80/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Owen Cheatham Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Owen Cheatham Foundation has a Mission Score of 80/100. Revenue: $5.3M. Assets: $5.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Owen Cheatham Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Owen Cheatham Foundation is 136097798. 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 Owen Cheatham Foundation spend its money?

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

How can I verify Owen Cheatham Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Owen Cheatham Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 136097798 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 Owen Cheatham Foundation demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its financial filings. Over the past decade, the organization has maintained a healthy asset base, consistently above $4 million, indicating long-term stability. While revenue has fluctuated, including a negative revenue figure in 2023 (-$63,502), the foundation has generally managed its expenses well, keeping them below revenue in most years, particularly from 2015 to 2022. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a volunteer-driven leadership or that compensation is covered by other means, which can be a positive indicator of efficiency, though it warrants further investigation for full transparency.

The foundation's spending efficiency appears strong, with expenses generally well-controlled relative to its asset base and revenue. For instance, in 2022, with revenue of $878,944, expenses were $288,167, leaving a significant surplus. The negative revenue in 2023, coupled with expenses of $293,607, led to a decrease in assets, but the overall asset base remains robust at $4,814,202. The consistent low liabilities across all periods also points to sound financial management and minimal debt burden.

Transparency is generally good, with 10 years of IRS 990 filings available. However, the NTEE code being 'Unknown' could indicate a lack of specific categorization, which might make it harder for donors to understand its precise programmatic focus. The lack of reported officer compensation, while potentially a strength, could also be a point for further clarification to ensure complete transparency regarding all forms of remuneration or support for leadership.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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