Quick charity verification for Paul & Ruth Lyon Family Foundation (EIN: 203956435)
Verdict: Paul & Ruth Lyon Family Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$698KRevenue
$1.8MAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed program spending breakdown in summary data
Limited public information on specific grantmaking activities
Strengths
Consistent asset growth from $98,304 in 2011 to $1,797,711 in 2023
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating volunteer leadership
Minimal liabilities, often reported as $1, demonstrating strong financial health
Revenue consistently exceeding expenses in recent years, contributing to sustainability
Strong financial stability and prudent management of resources
Spending Breakdown
How Paul & Ruth Lyon Family Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Paul & Ruth Lyon Family Foundation
Is Paul & Ruth Lyon Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Paul & Ruth Lyon Family Foundation (EIN: 203956435) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Paul & Ruth Lyon Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Paul & Ruth Lyon Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $698K. Assets: $1.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Paul & Ruth Lyon Family Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Paul & Ruth Lyon Family Foundation is 203956435. 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 Paul & Ruth Lyon Family Foundation spend its money?
Paul & Ruth Lyon Family Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Paul & Ruth Lyon Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Paul & Ruth Lyon Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 203956435 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 Paul & Ruth Lyon Family Foundation demonstrates consistent financial stability, with assets growing significantly from $98,304 in 2011 to $1,797,711 in 2023. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-driven leadership structure which contributes to efficient use of funds. While specific program spending details are not provided in the summary data, the low overall expenses relative to assets suggest a focus on endowment growth and grantmaking rather than extensive operational overhead. The foundation's liabilities have remained minimal, often reported as $1, which is a strong indicator of financial health and low risk. The revenue in 2023 of $254,669 significantly exceeded expenses of $95,685, allowing for further asset growth and future philanthropic activities.
However, without detailed expense breakdowns for program services, administrative, and fundraising costs, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The NTEE code T20 (Private Grantmaking Foundations) implies that the primary 'program' activity is making grants, which typically has lower administrative overhead compared to direct service charities. The consistent growth in assets and minimal liabilities suggest prudent financial management. The absence of officer compensation enhances transparency and ensures more resources are available for the foundation's charitable purpose.
Overall, the foundation appears to be a well-managed entity focused on long-term asset growth to support its grantmaking mission. Its financial health is robust, and the lack of executive compensation is a positive sign for donors and beneficiaries. Further transparency could be achieved with more detailed public reporting on grant distributions and specific program outcomes, though this is common for private foundations.