Is Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc Legit? —…

Quick charity verification for Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc (EIN: 166030502)

Strengths

Consistently strong asset base, exceeding $10 million in all reported periods, indicating financial stability.
Extremely low liabilities across all filings (e.g., $2 in 2023), demonstrating excellent financial health and minimal debt.
Zero reported officer compensation in all available filings, suggesting highly efficient use of funds at the executive level.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over nine periods, indicating good transparency and regulatory compliance.
As a grant-making foundation, its primary 'program' activity is direct funding to other nonprofits, which is a highly effective way to achieve charitable impact.

Spending Breakdown

How Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

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 Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc

Is Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc (EIN: 166030502) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?

Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $2.7M. Assets: $11.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc is 166030502. 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 Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc spend its money?

Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc allocates 90% to programs, 9% to administration, and 1% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 166030502 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 Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues generally exceeding or closely matching expenses over the past decade, indicating stable operations. For instance, in 2022, revenue was $2,901,531 against expenses of $2,596,482. However, the most recent filing (2023) shows expenses of $3,326,532 exceeding revenue of $2,361,430, which warrants monitoring. The organization maintains a healthy asset base, consistently above $10 million, reaching $11,155,022 in its latest reporting, suggesting a strong endowment or investment portfolio supporting its grant-making activities. Liabilities are consistently very low, often in the single digits or low thousands, indicating excellent financial solvency and minimal debt burden.

Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to provide a precise assessment. However, as a foundation, a significant portion of its expenses would typically be in grants and contributions (program services). The consistent lack of reported officer compensation suggests a lean operational structure at the executive level, which is a positive indicator for efficiency. The foundation's consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over nine periods demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency.

Overall, the foundation appears financially sound with a strong asset base and minimal liabilities. The recent dip where expenses exceeded revenue in 2023 is a point to watch, but given its historical performance and asset reserves, it may be a planned distribution or market fluctuation. Its consistent reporting and lack of executive compensation suggest good governance and a focus on its mission.

Is Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc Legit?

Verdict: Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc appears trustworthy

Red Flags