Quick charity verification for Skoll Foundation (EIN: 113659133)
Verdict: Skoll Foundation appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$124.3MRevenue
$846.9MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Unusually low or 0% reported officer compensation across all filings, which may obscure actual executive remuneration if it's reported elsewhere or through related entities.
Strengths
Consistently high program spending ratio (e.g., 90% in 2023), indicating strong focus on mission.
Substantial asset base (e.g., $807M in 2023) provides financial stability and capacity for long-term impact.
Low fundraising expenses (e.g., 3% in 2023), reflecting efficient resource allocation for a foundation model.
Strong financial health with assets significantly exceeding liabilities (e.g., $807M assets vs. $51.5M liabilities in 2023).
Spending Breakdown
How Skoll Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 Skoll Foundation
Is Skoll Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Skoll Foundation (EIN: 113659133) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Skoll Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Skoll Foundation has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $124.3M. Assets: $846.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Skoll Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Skoll Foundation is 113659133. 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 Skoll Foundation spend its money?
Skoll Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Skoll Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Skoll Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 113659133 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 Skoll Foundation demonstrates a strong commitment to its programmatic mission, consistently allocating a significant portion of its expenses to program services. For instance, in 2023, 90% of its $72.8 million in expenses went to programs, with 7% to administration and 3% to fundraising. This efficiency is a positive indicator of its financial health and dedication to its stated goals. The foundation's assets have fluctuated, peaking at over $1.1 billion in 2020 and settling around $807 million in 2023, indicating a substantial endowment supporting its operations. While revenue has varied significantly year-to-year, often exceeding expenses in some periods (e.g., $379.6M revenue vs. $143.8M expenses in 2020) and falling short in others (e.g., $35.3M revenue vs. $72.8M expenses in 2023), this is common for foundations that rely on investment returns and strategic grantmaking from their endowment rather than continuous public fundraising for operational costs. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests a high level of transparency regarding executive pay, or that officers are compensated through other means not reported in this section, which warrants further investigation for complete transparency.