Quick charity verification for Solow Art And Architecture Foundation (EIN: 133614971)
Verdict: Solow Art And Architecture Foundation shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$5.4MRevenue
$217.8MAssets
5Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Negative revenue of -$1,416,461 in the latest filing (202311), indicating a significant financial loss or unusual accounting event.
Highly volatile revenue and expense patterns over the years, making financial forecasting and stability assessment challenging.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown in the provided data, hindering a clear understanding of program vs. administrative spending.
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported despite substantial assets, which could indicate a lack of transparency if compensation is provided through other means.
Significant increase in expenses to $10,259,260 in 202311, without clear justification in the provided data.
Strengths
Very strong asset base, consistently over $200 million, providing significant financial stability and potential for long-term impact.
Minimal liabilities reported in most periods, indicating a healthy balance sheet.
No reported officer compensation, which could suggest efficient use of funds if leadership is genuinely volunteer-based.
Spending Breakdown
How Solow Art And Architecture 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 Solow Art And Architecture Foundation
Is Solow Art And Architecture Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Solow Art And Architecture Foundation (EIN: 133614971) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 5 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Solow Art And Architecture Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Solow Art And Architecture Foundation has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $5.4M. Assets: $217.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Solow Art And Architecture Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Solow Art And Architecture Foundation is 133614971. 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 Solow Art And Architecture Foundation spend its money?
Solow Art And Architecture Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Solow Art And Architecture Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Solow Art And Architecture Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 133614971 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 Solow Art And Architecture Foundation exhibits highly volatile financial activity, with significant fluctuations in revenue and expenses over the past decade. For instance, the 202311 period reported a negative revenue of -$1,416,461 while incurring expenses of $10,259,260, indicating a substantial operational deficit. This contrasts sharply with 202111, which saw revenue of $29,285,009 against expenses of $4,569,643. The organization consistently maintains a very large asset base, exceeding $200 million, suggesting substantial endowments or holdings. However, the lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes it challenging to assess spending efficiency beyond the top-line figures. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests either a volunteer-led executive structure or that compensation is not reported in this specific field, which could impact transparency assessments if executives are compensated through other means.
The foundation's financial health appears stable due to its substantial assets, but its operational sustainability is less clear given the erratic revenue and expense patterns. The negative revenue in the latest period is particularly concerning and warrants further investigation into its cause. Without a clear understanding of program activities and how the significant assets are utilized or distributed, a comprehensive assessment of its programmatic impact and spending efficiency is difficult. The minimal liabilities reported in most years indicate a strong balance sheet, but the overall financial picture is complex due to the extreme variability in annual financial performance.