Is Rostrust Foundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for Rostrust Foundation (EIN: 137111711)

Verdict: Rostrust Foundation shows mixed signals

45/100Mission Score

$2.3MRevenue

$2.2MAssets

4Red Flags

2Strengths

Red Flags

Consistent operating deficits: Expenses frequently exceed revenue, as seen in 8 out of 10 filings.
Significant asset depletion: Assets declined from $6.8 million in 2012 to $0.7 million in 2024.
Lack of detailed program spending: Without specific breakdowns, it's hard to assess the impact of funds.
Unclear financial sustainability plan: The persistent deficits raise questions about long-term viability.

Strengths

No reported officer compensation: Indicates a commitment to minimizing executive overhead.
Consistent filing history: Demonstrates adherence to IRS reporting requirements.

Spending Breakdown

How Rostrust Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

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 Rostrust Foundation

Is Rostrust Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Rostrust Foundation (EIN: 137111711) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 45/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.

Is Rostrust Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Rostrust Foundation has a Mission Score of 45/100. Revenue: $2.3M. Assets: $2.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Rostrust Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Rostrust Foundation is 137111711. 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 Rostrust Foundation spend its money?

Rostrust Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Rostrust Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Rostrust Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 137111711 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 Rostrust Foundation exhibits a concerning financial trend, consistently spending significantly more than its revenue in most reported periods. For instance, in 2024, expenses were $1,082,296 against revenue of $737,671, and similar deficits are observed in 2022, 2021, 2020, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013. This pattern suggests a reliance on drawing down assets, which have indeed declined substantially from $6,845,539 in 2012 to $733,118 in 2024. While the organization reports 0% officer compensation across all filings, which indicates good transparency regarding executive pay, the overall financial sustainability is questionable given the persistent operating deficits. The NTEE code T30 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations) suggests its primary activity is grantmaking, but without detailed program spending breakdowns, it's difficult to assess the efficiency of its grantmaking activities.

The foundation's asset base has eroded dramatically over the past decade, falling from over $6.8 million to under $1 million. This decline is directly linked to its consistent spending exceeding revenue. While the latest revenue is reported as $2,288,266, this figure is an aggregate and doesn't align with the individual filing periods provided, making it difficult to reconcile with the historical trend of deficits. The lack of reported officer compensation is a positive sign for transparency in that specific area, but the broader financial health and long-term viability are concerning due to the sustained negative operating margins. Further details on program expenditures would be necessary to fully evaluate spending efficiency beyond the top-line revenue and expense figures.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.