Is Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Inc (EIN: 133354308)
Verdict: Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$30.1MRevenue
$115.1MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant negative revenue reported in some years (e.g., $-3,992,677 in 2022), which, while potentially due to investment losses, warrants closer examination of investment strategies and reporting.
Strengths
Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating highly efficient use of funds at the executive level.
Maintains a very strong asset base (e.g., $115,085,424 latest assets), providing long-term financial stability and capacity for grant-making.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (11 filings), demonstrating transparency and compliance.
Substantial revenue in certain years (e.g., $75,722,203 in 2013) indicates significant capacity for impact.
Spending Breakdown
How Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Inc 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 Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Inc
Is Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Inc (EIN: 133354308) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $30.1M. Assets: $115.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Inc is 133354308. 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 Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Inc spend its money?
Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Inc allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 133354308 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 Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Inc. demonstrates a strong financial position with substantial assets, reaching $66,968,513 in 2023 and a peak of $115,085,424 in its latest reported period. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation across all available filings, indicating a volunteer-led or externally managed executive structure, which is a positive sign for donor confidence and resource allocation directly to its mission. However, the foundation has experienced significant fluctuations in revenue, including negative revenue in 2022 ($-3,992,677) and 2018 ($-1,184,231), which could be due to investment losses or specific accounting practices for endowments. Despite these revenue swings, the foundation maintains a robust asset base, suggesting long-term financial stability.
Spending efficiency appears to be a key strength, as the organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, meaning all executive leadership is either unpaid or compensated through other means not reported as officer compensation on the 990. This allows a greater proportion of expenses to be directed towards program services. While specific program spending percentages are not detailed in the provided data, the absence of executive compensation is a strong indicator of efficient use of funds at the top level. The foundation's substantial assets relative to its annual expenses (e.g., $66.9 million in assets vs. $5.4 million in expenses in 2023) suggest a well-endowed organization capable of sustaining its operations and grant-making activities over the long term.
Transparency is generally good given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s and the clear reporting of zero officer compensation. The fluctuations in revenue, particularly negative figures, warrant further investigation into the nature of their income streams, likely investment returns, and how they are reported. Overall, the foundation appears to be a financially sound entity with a commitment to directing resources to its mission, as evidenced by its executive compensation structure and substantial asset base.