Is Science Friday Initiative Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for Science Friday Initiative Inc (EIN: 134252173)

Verdict: Science Friday Initiative Inc appears trustworthy

90/100Mission Score

$5.4MRevenue

$8.8MAssets

2Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

Expenses exceeded revenue in the 202306 period by $331,921, indicating an annual operating deficit.
Significant increase in liabilities to $1,821,660 in 202306, which warrants further investigation into their nature.

Strengths

Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all 13 filings, indicating exceptional efficiency in executive pay.
Strong and consistent growth in assets, from $2,566,097 in 201412 to $7,574,101 in 202306.
Robust revenue generation, with latest reported revenue of $5,441,884.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 periods), demonstrating strong transparency and compliance.

Spending Breakdown

How Science Friday Initiative Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

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 Science Friday Initiative Inc

Is Science Friday Initiative Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Science Friday Initiative Inc (EIN: 134252173) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Science Friday Initiative Inc a good charity to donate to?

Science Friday Initiative Inc has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $5.4M. Assets: $8.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Science Friday Initiative Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Science Friday Initiative Inc is 134252173. 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 Science Friday Initiative Inc spend its money?

Science Friday Initiative Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Science Friday Initiative Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Science Friday Initiative Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 134252173 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

Science Friday Initiative Inc. demonstrates generally sound financial health, though recent filings show some fluctuations. In the 202306 period, the organization reported expenses exceeding revenue by $331,921 ($2,954,283 expenses vs. $2,622,362 revenue), indicating a deficit for that year. However, this follows a strong surplus in 202206 where revenue significantly outpaced expenses ($1,952,721 revenue vs. $1,406,000 expenses). The organization's assets have shown consistent growth over the past decade, from $2,566,097 in 201412 to $7,574,101 in 202306, suggesting good long-term financial management and asset accumulation. Liabilities have also seen an increase, reaching $1,821,660 in 202306, which warrants monitoring.

Spending efficiency appears strong, particularly given the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is a significant positive indicator of resource allocation towards mission-related activities rather than executive pay. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the absence of officer compensation suggests a lean operational structure at the top. The organization's ability to generate substantial revenue, with a latest reported revenue of $5,441,884, indicates a robust fundraising capacity.

Transparency is excellent regarding executive compensation, as the consistent 0% officer compensation is clearly reported. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods further demonstrates a commitment to public disclosure. The growth in assets over time, alongside fluctuating but generally healthy revenue streams, points to a well-managed organization. The recent deficit in 202306 should be observed in future filings to ensure it's an anomaly rather than a trend.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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