Is Sephardic Foundation For Torah Studies Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Sephardic Foundation For Torah Studies Inc (EIN: 113456809)
Verdict: Sephardic Foundation For Torah Studies Inc shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$259KRevenue
$2.9MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits: Expenses have exceeded revenue in most recent years (e.g., $393,949 expenses vs. $214,254 revenue in 2023), indicating an unsustainable financial model.
Declining assets: Total assets have steadily decreased from $3,685,235 in 2017 to $2,886,127 in 2023, suggesting the organization is drawing down its reserves to cover operational shortfalls.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown: Without specific percentages for program, administrative, and fundraising costs, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation: The organization reports 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating a volunteer-driven leadership and efficient use of funds.
No liabilities: The organization consistently reports $0 in liabilities, demonstrating a strong balance sheet and no outstanding debt.
Consistent IRS 990 filings: A history of 13 filings shows good transparency and compliance with reporting requirements.
Spending Breakdown
How Sephardic Foundation For Torah Studies Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
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 Sephardic Foundation For Torah Studies Inc
Is Sephardic Foundation For Torah Studies Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sephardic Foundation For Torah Studies Inc (EIN: 113456809) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Sephardic Foundation For Torah Studies Inc a good charity to donate to?
Sephardic Foundation For Torah Studies Inc has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $259K. Assets: $2.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Sephardic Foundation For Torah Studies Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Sephardic Foundation For Torah Studies Inc is 113456809. 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 Sephardic Foundation For Torah Studies Inc spend its money?
Sephardic Foundation For Torah Studies Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Sephardic Foundation For Torah Studies Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Sephardic Foundation For Torah Studies Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 113456809 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 Sephardic Foundation For Torah Studies Inc demonstrates a consistent operational deficit over the past several years, with expenses frequently exceeding revenue. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $393,949 against revenues of $214,254, and in 2022, expenses were $317,778 against $235,702. This trend suggests a reliance on existing assets to cover operational costs, as evidenced by the gradual decline in assets from $3,685,235 in 2017 to $2,886,127 in 2023. Despite these deficits, the organization reports zero liabilities, indicating a strong balance sheet in terms of debt. The absence of officer compensation reported across all filings suggests a volunteer-driven leadership, which can be a positive indicator of resource allocation directly to mission-related activities. However, the sustained operational deficits raise questions about long-term financial sustainability without a change in revenue generation or expense management strategies.
Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to fully assess. However, the consistent operational losses suggest that the current revenue streams are insufficient to cover the organization's activities. The lack of reported officer compensation is a strong positive for efficiency, as it means more funds are available for other expenditures. The organization's transparency is good in terms of filing its IRS 990s consistently, and the zero liabilities are a clear positive financial indicator. However, the persistent revenue shortfalls against expenses are a significant area for concern regarding financial health and sustainability.