Quick charity verification for Smith Memorial Foundation (EIN: 10970450)
Verdict: Smith Memorial Foundation shows mixed signals
40/100Mission Score
$138Revenue
$334KAssets
4Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Negative revenue reported in 2022 ($-10,742), which is highly unusual for a nonprofit.
Extremely low and inconsistent expenses relative to substantial assets, raising questions about program activity and operational efficiency.
Significant year-over-year revenue volatility, ranging from $-10,742 to $271,056.
Lack of detailed explanation for financial anomalies in public filings.
Strengths
Consistently reports zero liabilities, indicating strong financial solvency and no debt.
Reports 0% officer compensation across all filings, demonstrating efficient use of funds in terms of executive pay.
Maintains a substantial asset base ($334,013), providing a foundation for future activities.
Spending Breakdown
How Smith Memorial 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
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 Smith Memorial Foundation
Is Smith Memorial Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Smith Memorial Foundation (EIN: 10970450) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 40/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Smith Memorial Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Smith Memorial Foundation has a Mission Score of 40/100. Revenue: $138. Assets: $334K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Smith Memorial Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Smith Memorial Foundation is 10970450. 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 Smith Memorial Foundation spend its money?
Smith Memorial Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Smith Memorial Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Smith Memorial Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 10970450 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 Smith Memorial Foundation exhibits a highly unusual and concerning financial pattern. While the organization reports substantial assets of $334,013 in its latest filing, its revenue has been extremely volatile, including a negative revenue of $-10,742 in 2022. This negative revenue, coupled with minimal expenses of $1,512, suggests potential accounting irregularities or a significant divestment/loss that isn't clearly explained. The organization consistently reports zero liabilities and zero officer compensation across all filings, which, while positive for debt management and executive cost control, raises questions given the asset base and fluctuating revenue.
The foundation's spending efficiency is difficult to assess accurately due to the extremely low and inconsistent reported expenses relative to its assets. For instance, in 2022, expenses were only $1,512 against assets of over $334,000. This suggests either minimal program activity or that significant operational costs are not being fully captured in the reported expenses. The lack of officer compensation indicates good stewardship in that area, but the overall financial picture is opaque and warrants further investigation into the nature of its revenue and how its assets are being utilized for its mission.
Transparency is moderate in terms of filing history, with 12 filings available. However, the financial data itself presents a confusing picture, particularly the negative revenue and the disconnect between assets and reported expenses. Without more detailed breakdowns of how the assets are invested or deployed for programmatic purposes, it's challenging to fully understand the organization's operational model and impact.