Is Samantha And Darren Bechtel Family Foundation Legit?
Quick charity verification for Samantha And Darren Bechtel Family Foundation (EIN: 200721636)
Verdict: Samantha And Darren Bechtel Family Foundation appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$8.0MRevenue
$8.4MAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency in executive pay.
Healthy asset growth over the past decade, from $1.2 million in 2011 to $4.7 million in 2023.
Low overall expenses relative to assets and, in many years, revenue, suggesting efficient operations.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history, demonstrating good transparency and compliance.
Strong financial stability with assets significantly exceeding liabilities in most periods.
Spending Breakdown
How Samantha And Darren Bechtel 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
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 Samantha And Darren Bechtel Family Foundation
Is Samantha And Darren Bechtel Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Samantha And Darren Bechtel Family Foundation (EIN: 200721636) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Samantha And Darren Bechtel Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Samantha And Darren Bechtel Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $8.0M. Assets: $8.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Samantha And Darren Bechtel Family Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Samantha And Darren Bechtel Family Foundation is 200721636. 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 Samantha And Darren Bechtel Family Foundation spend its money?
Samantha And Darren Bechtel Family Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Samantha And Darren Bechtel Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Samantha And Darren Bechtel Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200721636 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 Samantha And Darren Bechtel Family Foundation operates as a private foundation, which is reflected in its financial activities. Over the past decade, the foundation has consistently maintained a healthy asset base, growing from $1.2 million in 2011 to over $4.7 million in 2023. Revenue streams have been somewhat volatile, with a significant spike to over $3.2 million in 2021, but generally ranging from $100,000 to $700,000 annually. Expenses have remained relatively low compared to assets and, in many years, significantly lower than revenue, indicating a strategy of asset growth and endowment building rather than immediate large-scale program spending.
As a private foundation, its primary function is often grant-making, and the low reported expenses (which would typically include program service expenses for public charities) suggest that the majority of its charitable activity is likely through grants to other organizations. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates strong financial stewardship regarding executive pay, as no salaries are drawn from the foundation's funds. This practice enhances the foundation's efficiency by ensuring that all available funds are directed towards its charitable purpose or asset growth.
The foundation's transparency is good, with a consistent filing history of 10 IRS Form 990s. The absence of officer compensation is a positive indicator of financial efficiency. While the NTEE code T22 (Private Grantmaking Foundations) confirms its operational model, a deeper dive into its grant recipients would provide more insight into its programmatic impact. Overall, the foundation appears to be financially stable and well-managed, with a clear focus on its grantmaking mission without incurring significant administrative overhead or executive compensation.