Is Putnam Foundation Trust P 09237 Legit? —…

Quick charity verification for Putnam Foundation Trust P 09237 (EIN: 136037083)

Strengths

Consistent asset growth, reaching $12,973,947 in 2023, demonstrating strong financial health.
0% officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating highly efficient use of funds and low administrative overhead.
Stable annual expenses (around $850k-$925k), suggesting effective budgeting and cost control.
Minimal liabilities ($0 or $1 reported), indicating a very low debt burden and sound financial management.
Strong program focus implied by the lack of officer compensation and stable expenses relative to asset base.

Spending Breakdown

How Putnam Foundation Trust P 09237 allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

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 Putnam Foundation Trust P 09237

Is Putnam Foundation Trust P 09237 a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Putnam Foundation Trust P 09237 (EIN: 136037083) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Putnam Foundation Trust P 09237 a good charity to donate to?

Putnam Foundation Trust P 09237 has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $4.3M. Assets: $12.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Putnam Foundation Trust P 09237?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Putnam Foundation Trust P 09237 is 136037083. 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 Putnam Foundation Trust P 09237 spend its money?

Putnam Foundation Trust P 09237 allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Putnam Foundation Trust P 09237's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Putnam Foundation Trust P 09237's tax-exempt status using EIN 136037083 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 Putnam Foundation Trust P 09237 demonstrates consistent financial stability with assets consistently over $11 million, reaching $12,973,947 in the latest 2023 filing. Its revenue streams fluctuate significantly year-to-year, from a low of $360,534 in 2022 to a high of $2,108,472 in 2019, indicating reliance on potentially volatile funding sources. However, expenses have remained relatively stable, hovering around $850,000-$925,000 annually, suggesting predictable operational costs.

The organization's spending efficiency appears strong, particularly given the reported 0% officer compensation across all filings, which implies a very lean administrative structure or reliance on unpaid leadership. With expenses generally lower than revenue in most years, the foundation is building its asset base, which is a positive indicator for long-term sustainability. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities ($0 or $1) also points to sound financial management and low debt risk.

Transparency is high, with 8 filings available and consistent reporting of key financial metrics. The absence of officer compensation is a notable transparency point, indicating that resources are not being diverted to high executive salaries. The foundation's consistent asset growth and low liabilities, coupled with stable expenses, paint a picture of a well-managed and financially prudent organization.

Is Putnam Foundation Trust P 09237 Legit?

Verdict: Putnam Foundation Trust P 09237 appears trustworthy

Red Flags