Is Rowe Family Foundation Legit?

Strengths

Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating high dedication to mission.
Substantial and stable asset base ($34,124,941) providing strong financial backing.
Consistently minimal liabilities ($1 reported in most recent filings), indicating excellent financial health and low debt.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history, demonstrating transparency and compliance.

Spending Breakdown

How Rowe Family Foundation 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 Rowe Family Foundation

Is Rowe Family Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Rowe Family Foundation (EIN: 200721105) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Rowe Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Rowe Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $7.9M. Assets: $34.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Rowe Family Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Rowe Family Foundation is 200721105. 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 Rowe Family Foundation spend its money?

Rowe Family Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

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

You can verify Rowe Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200721105 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 Rowe Family Foundation demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission as a grant-making organization, evidenced by its NTEE code T22. Over the past decade, the foundation has maintained substantial assets, currently at $34,124,941, indicating a strong financial base for future grantmaking. Its liabilities have consistently been minimal, often reported as $1, which is a positive indicator of financial stability and low debt burden. The foundation's revenue has fluctuated significantly, with a notable peak of $20,277,686 in 2011 and $4,753,755 in 2021, suggesting reliance on investment returns or large contributions rather than consistent operational income.

Spending efficiency, particularly in recent years, shows the foundation's expenses often exceeding its revenue. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $2,126,660 against revenue of $1,053,662, and in 2022, expenses were $2,025,549 against revenue of $1,146,753. This trend, while potentially drawing from its substantial asset base for grantmaking, warrants closer examination to ensure long-term sustainability if it continues. However, as a grant-making foundation, a significant portion of its expenses would typically be program-related grants, which is a direct fulfillment of its mission.

Transparency appears strong given the consistent filing of IRS 990 forms over ten periods, and the explicit reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This indicates that the foundation's leadership is not drawing salaries, which is a significant positive for donor confidence and suggests that resources are primarily directed towards the foundation's charitable purpose. The minimal liabilities further enhance its transparent and responsible financial management.

Verdict: Rowe Family Foundation appears trustworthy

Red Flags