Quick charity verification for Robert S Bristol Charitable Tr (EIN: 20488551)
Verdict: Robert S Bristol Charitable Tr appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$261KRevenue
$2.3MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent expenses exceeding revenue in recent years, potentially drawing down on principal over the long term if not balanced by investment gains.
Strengths
No officer compensation reported, indicating highly efficient administrative costs.
Stable asset base of over $2.3 million consistently maintained over a decade.
Minimal liabilities ($1 across all filings) demonstrating strong financial health and low debt.
Consistent grantmaking activity as evidenced by ongoing expenses, fulfilling its charitable purpose.
Spending Breakdown
How Robert S Bristol Charitable Tr 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 S Bristol Charitable Tr
Is Robert S Bristol Charitable Tr a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Robert S Bristol Charitable Tr (EIN: 20488551) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Robert S Bristol Charitable Tr a good charity to donate to?
Robert S Bristol Charitable Tr has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $261K. Assets: $2.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Robert S Bristol Charitable Tr?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Robert S Bristol Charitable Tr is 20488551. 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 S Bristol Charitable Tr spend its money?
Robert S Bristol Charitable Tr allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Robert S Bristol Charitable Tr's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Robert S Bristol Charitable Tr's tax-exempt status using EIN 20488551 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 S Bristol Charitable Tr operates as a private foundation, primarily distributing grants rather than running direct programs. Its financial health appears stable, with assets consistently around $2.3 million to $2.5 million over the past decade, despite fluctuating annual revenues. The trust consistently spends more than its annual revenue in most recent years, drawing down on its asset base, as seen in the 202312 period where expenses were $115,955 against revenues of $100,036. This is a common characteristic of trusts designed to disburse funds over time.
Spending efficiency is high in terms of administrative overhead, as there is no reported officer compensation, indicating a lean operational structure. However, without detailed expense breakdowns beyond total expenses, it's challenging to fully assess the proportion of funds directly reaching beneficiaries versus other operational costs. The consistent liabilities of $1 across all filings suggest minimal debt and a very stable financial position.
Transparency is generally good through its IRS 990 filings, which are publicly available. The consistent reporting of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses provides a clear picture of its financial activities. The absence of officer compensation simplifies the analysis of how funds are managed, suggesting that the trust is administered with minimal direct personnel costs.