Quick charity verification for Plm Foundation (EIN: 137105558)
Verdict: Plm Foundation appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$2.3MRevenue
$1.6MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant historical deficits where expenses far exceeded revenue (e.g., 2022, 2021, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011).
Substantial decline in total assets from $11,818,127 in 2011 to $2,034,689 in 2023, indicating potential long-term financial strain or strategic asset utilization.
Fluctuating revenue streams, making long-term financial planning potentially challenging.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating transparency or efficient use of funds in this area.
Recent financial period (2023) shows a surplus with revenue exceeding expenses ($2,382,871 vs. $2,221,374).
Generally low reported liabilities across most filing periods, including the most recent.
Spending Breakdown
How Plm Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 Plm Foundation
Is Plm Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Plm Foundation (EIN: 137105558) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Plm Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Plm Foundation has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $2.3M. Assets: $1.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Plm Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Plm Foundation is 137105558. 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 Plm Foundation spend its money?
Plm Foundation allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Plm Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Plm Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 137105558 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
Plm Foundation exhibits a fluctuating financial history, with significant swings in revenue and expenses over the past decade. While the most recent filing (2023) shows revenue of $2,382,871 exceeding expenses of $2,221,374, indicating a surplus, previous years like 2022 saw expenses ($3,618,068) far outstrip revenue ($2,292,295), leading to a deficit. The organization's assets have also seen considerable variation, from a high of $11,818,127 in 2011 to $2,034,689 in 2023. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a high degree of transparency regarding executive pay, or that executive compensation is not a significant expense for the organization. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, a full assessment of spending efficiency is challenging.
The foundation's financial health appears to be stabilizing in the most recent period after several years of significant deficits, particularly between 2011 and 2014 where expenses consistently dwarfed revenue. The substantial decrease in assets from its peak in 2011 to current levels warrants further investigation to understand the underlying causes. The lack of reported liabilities in many periods, including the most recent, is a positive indicator of financial stability. Overall, while the organization demonstrates transparency in executive compensation, a clearer picture of its operational efficiency would require more granular expense data.