Quick charity verification for Screaming Comet Foundation (EIN: 200512645)
Verdict: Screaming Comet Foundation shows mixed signals
45/100Mission Score
$6.6MRevenue
$158.7MAssets
4Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Extremely low expense-to-revenue ratio in recent years (e.g., 2021 expenses were less than 1% of revenue)
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation for a large organization, raising transparency questions
Significant asset accumulation without corresponding increase in programmatic spending
Lack of clear indication on how substantial assets are being deployed for charitable purposes
Strengths
Exceptional financial stability with consistently low liabilities (often $1)
Strong asset growth over time, indicating robust financial management and investment
Significant financial reserves available for future programmatic initiatives
No reported officer compensation, suggesting low leadership overhead if accurate
Spending Breakdown
How Screaming Comet Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
50%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
40%
Admin Costs
High — over 25% on administration
10%
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 Screaming Comet Foundation
Is Screaming Comet Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Screaming Comet Foundation (EIN: 200512645) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 45/100. 4 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Screaming Comet Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Screaming Comet Foundation has a Mission Score of 45/100. Revenue: $6.6M. Assets: $158.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Screaming Comet Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Screaming Comet Foundation is 200512645. 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 Screaming Comet Foundation spend its money?
Screaming Comet Foundation allocates 50% to programs, 40% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Screaming Comet Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Screaming Comet Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200512645 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 Screaming Comet Foundation demonstrates exceptional financial health, with its assets growing from $10.3 million in 2011 to over $158.7 million currently, indicating robust financial management and significant asset accumulation. The organization consistently reports minimal liabilities, often just $1, which is a strong indicator of financial stability and low debt burden. However, a notable concern is the extremely low expense ratios relative to revenue in recent years. For instance, in 2022, the foundation reported $36.2 million in revenue against only $3.6 million in expenses, and in 2021, $43.8 million in revenue against a mere $357,399 in expenses. This suggests that a very small portion of its substantial revenue is being spent on its stated mission or operations, raising questions about spending efficiency and the immediate impact of its programs. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests either a fully volunteer-led executive team or that compensation is reported under different categories, which could impact transparency regarding leadership costs.
The significant disparity between revenue and expenses, particularly in recent years, warrants further investigation into how the organization's substantial assets are being utilized to fulfill its NTEE code T20 mission (Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations). While asset growth is positive, the low expense-to-revenue ratio could indicate that the foundation is primarily an endowment-building entity rather than an active grantmaker or program implementer. Without a detailed breakdown of program service expenses versus administrative and fundraising costs, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency. The lack of reported officer compensation is a positive for minimizing overhead, but the overall low spending relative to available resources suggests a potential for greater programmatic deployment.