Quick charity verification for Russell Sage Foundation (EIN: 131635303)
Verdict: Russell Sage Foundation appears trustworthy
88/100Mission Score
$48.1MRevenue
$466.9MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is unusual for an organization of this scale and may obscure actual executive remuneration.
Strengths
Strong and growing asset base, with latest assets at $466,906,661.
Consistent operational surpluses, with revenue frequently exceeding expenses (e.g., $42.2M revenue vs. $19.4M expenses in 2023).
Demonstrates long-term financial stability and growth.
Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating a healthy balance sheet (e.g., $10.4M liabilities vs. $423.1M assets in 2023).
Spending Breakdown
How Russell Sage Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
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 Russell Sage Foundation
Is Russell Sage Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Russell Sage Foundation (EIN: 131635303) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 88/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Russell Sage Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Russell Sage Foundation has a Mission Score of 88/100. Revenue: $48.1M. Assets: $466.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Russell Sage Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Russell Sage Foundation is 131635303. 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 Russell Sage Foundation spend its money?
Russell Sage Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Russell Sage Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Russell Sage Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 131635303 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 Russell Sage Foundation demonstrates strong financial health, consistently maintaining substantial assets, with the latest reported at $466,906,661. Its revenue streams have shown significant variability over the past decade, ranging from $7.9 million in 2011 to over $73 million in 2015, and $48 million in the latest period. Despite this fluctuation, the foundation consistently spends less than its revenue in most years, allowing for asset growth. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $42,228,265 against expenses of $19,389,715, indicating a healthy surplus. The organization's spending efficiency appears robust, with expenses generally well-managed relative to its substantial endowment. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a high degree of transparency regarding executive pay, indicating that compensation for key personnel is either not reported in this category or is covered by other means, which warrants further investigation for a complete picture.