Is Sage Foundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for Sage Foundation (EIN: 200404771)

Verdict: Sage Foundation appears trustworthy

75/100Mission Score

$31.5MRevenue

$53.8MAssets

3Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

Significant operating deficit in 2023 ($3.18 million)
Unusually low reported liabilities ($1 across all filings) which may not reflect full financial picture
0% officer compensation reported, which is atypical for an organization of this size and could indicate a lack of transparency in reporting executive pay.

Strengths

Strong and growing asset base ($53,802,619 currently)
Consistent IRS 990 filing history (10 filings), indicating good compliance
Minimal reported liabilities, suggesting a very low debt burden
Significant revenue generation in several years (e.g., $18.4M in 2015)

Spending Breakdown

How Sage 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 Sage Foundation

Is Sage Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sage Foundation (EIN: 200404771) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Sage Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Sage Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $31.5M. Assets: $53.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Sage Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Sage Foundation is 200404771. 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 Sage Foundation spend its money?

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

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

You can verify Sage Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200404771 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

Sage Foundation demonstrates a fluctuating financial performance over the past decade. While the organization reported significant revenue in some years, such as $18,428,067 in 2015 and $10,950,749 in 2020, it also experienced periods where expenses exceeded revenue, notably in 2023 where expenses of $5,914,355 significantly outpaced revenue of $2,733,916. Despite these fluctuations, the organization has maintained substantial assets, growing from $1,949,132 in 2011 to $53,802,619 currently, indicating a strong financial base. The consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities across all filings suggests a very low debt burden, which is a positive indicator of financial stability.

The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over ten periods. A notable aspect is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which suggests either a volunteer-led executive team or that compensation is reported under other expense categories, warranting further investigation for complete transparency. The NTEE code T20 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations) suggests its primary activities involve grantmaking, which typically involves distributing funds to other organizations rather than direct program delivery, influencing how 'program spending' might be interpreted.

Given the available data, Sage Foundation appears to be financially stable with substantial assets and minimal liabilities. However, the significant revenue-expense disparities in certain years, particularly the deficit in 2023, suggest a need for closer examination of operational efficiency and funding strategies. The lack of reported officer compensation is a unique characteristic that could be a strength in terms of resource allocation or a point of inquiry for full financial disclosure.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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