Is Sheridan Garrison Foundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for Sheridan Garrison Foundation (EIN: 202577096)

Verdict: Sheridan Garrison Foundation appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score

$267KRevenue

$1.4MAssets

1Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

Consistent operational deficits (expenses exceeding revenue) in multiple years (e.g., 2020, 2019, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011) indicate reliance on asset drawdowns or prior surpluses.

Strengths

Substantial asset base ($1,394,824 in 2020) provides strong financial backing.
0% officer compensation across all reported periods demonstrates volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds.
Low liabilities ($1 in most years) indicate sound financial management and minimal debt.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history demonstrates transparency and compliance.

Spending Breakdown

How Sheridan Garrison Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

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 Sheridan Garrison Foundation

Is Sheridan Garrison Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sheridan Garrison Foundation (EIN: 202577096) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Sheridan Garrison Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Sheridan Garrison Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $267K. Assets: $1.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Sheridan Garrison Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Sheridan Garrison Foundation is 202577096. 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 Sheridan Garrison Foundation spend its money?

Sheridan Garrison Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Sheridan Garrison Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Sheridan Garrison Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 202577096 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 Sheridan Garrison Foundation demonstrates consistent financial stability with substantial assets relative to its annual revenue and expenses. With assets of $1,394,824 in 2020, significantly exceeding its latest reported revenue of $266,521, the organization appears to have a strong endowment or investment base. However, a notable trend across multiple years (e.g., 2020, 2019, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011) shows expenses frequently exceeding revenue, indicating reliance on prior year surpluses or asset drawdowns to cover operational costs. For instance, in 2020, revenue was $67,822 while expenses were $98,930. This pattern suggests that while the organization is asset-rich, its operational funding from annual contributions may not consistently cover its spending.

The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with seven filings available. The reported 0% officer compensation across all available periods is a strong indicator of volunteer leadership, which can contribute to lower administrative costs and higher program efficiency. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories from the provided data, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The low liabilities reported ($1 in most years, $1,250 in 2012) indicate sound financial management and minimal debt.

Overall, the Sheridan Garrison Foundation appears to be a well-managed organization with a solid asset base and a commitment to volunteer leadership. Its long-term financial sustainability hinges on either increasing annual revenue to consistently cover expenses or strategically managing its endowment to support its mission without significant erosion. The lack of officer compensation is a significant positive for donor confidence, suggesting that resources are directed towards the mission rather than executive salaries.

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Disclaimer

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