Is Sara Smith Self Foundation Legit? —…

Strengths

Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency and dedication of funds to mission.
Strong and stable asset base, consistently over $2.9 million, providing long-term financial security.
Minimal liabilities across all filing periods, demonstrating excellent financial management and low risk.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 10 periods, indicating strong transparency and compliance.
Expenses generally below revenue in recent years, showing responsible financial stewardship.

Spending Breakdown

How Sara Smith Self 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 Sara Smith Self Foundation

Is Sara Smith Self Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sara Smith Self Foundation (EIN: 203631059) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Sara Smith Self Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Sara Smith Self Foundation has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $919K. Assets: $3.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Sara Smith Self Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Sara Smith Self Foundation is 203631059. 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 Sara Smith Self Foundation spend its money?

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

How can I verify Sara Smith Self Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Sara Smith Self Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 203631059 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 Sara Smith Self Foundation demonstrates consistent financial stability with assets consistently over $2.9 million, reaching $3,387,182 in the latest period. The organization's revenue has fluctuated, with a notable peak of $521,532 in 2021 and a recent figure of $296,636 in 2023. Expenses have generally remained below revenue in recent years, indicating sound financial management. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $233,747 against $296,636 in revenue, resulting in a surplus. The foundation's liabilities have been minimal, often reported as $0 or $1, which is a strong indicator of low financial risk and good fiscal health.

Spending efficiency appears strong, particularly given the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This suggests that a very high proportion of funds are likely directed towards program services and operational costs rather than executive salaries. While a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't explicitly provided in the summary data, the absence of officer compensation is a significant positive for efficiency.

Transparency is excellent, as evidenced by the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a long period (10 filings). The minimal liabilities and zero officer compensation also contribute to a perception of high integrity and clear financial practices. The foundation's consistent asset base, despite varying annual revenues, suggests a well-managed endowment or investment strategy supporting its mission.

Is Sara Smith Self Foundation Legit?

Verdict: Sara Smith Self Foundation appears trustworthy