Is Sony And Maurice Schotland Foundation Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Sony And Maurice Schotland Foundation Inc (EIN: 134169472)
Verdict: Sony And Maurice Schotland Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$5.4MRevenue
$3.0MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses significantly exceeded revenue in 2023 ($104,446 expenses vs. $13,869 revenue), leading to asset depletion.
Reported negative revenue in 2021 (-$52,281), indicating potential investment volatility or significant adjustments.
Fluctuating and often low annual revenues compared to asset base, suggesting reliance on endowment rather than consistent operational income.
Strengths
Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds by avoiding executive salary overhead.
Maintains minimal liabilities ($1 across all filings), demonstrating strong financial stability and no significant debt.
Long-term growth in assets from $145,943 in 2012 to $315,787 in 2023, despite recent fluctuations, shows some financial stewardship.
Spending Breakdown
How Sony And Maurice Schotland Foundation 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 Sony And Maurice Schotland Foundation Inc
Is Sony And Maurice Schotland Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sony And Maurice Schotland Foundation Inc (EIN: 134169472) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Sony And Maurice Schotland Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Sony And Maurice Schotland Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $5.4M. Assets: $3.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Sony And Maurice Schotland Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Sony And Maurice Schotland Foundation Inc is 134169472. 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 Sony And Maurice Schotland Foundation Inc spend its money?
Sony And Maurice Schotland Foundation Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Sony And Maurice Schotland Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Sony And Maurice Schotland Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 134169472 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 Sony And Maurice Schotland Foundation Inc. appears to be a private foundation, as indicated by its NTEE code T20 (Private Grantmaking Foundations) and its financial activity primarily consisting of investment income and grantmaking. Its financial health shows significant fluctuations in revenue, with a notable negative revenue in 2021 (-$52,281) and a relatively low revenue of $13,869 in 2023 compared to its assets. The foundation consistently reports minimal liabilities ($1), suggesting a stable financial structure without significant debt. However, the 2023 filing shows expenses ($104,446) significantly exceeding revenue ($13,869), leading to a decrease in assets from $406,364 in 2022 to $315,787 in 2023. This trend of expenses often exceeding revenue, particularly in recent years, warrants closer examination of its spending strategy relative to its endowment.
Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program service expenses versus administrative and fundraising costs, it's challenging to fully assess. However, as a private foundation, its primary 'program' is grantmaking. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests a lean operational structure, potentially relying on volunteer efforts or external management without direct compensation to officers. This could indicate efficiency in minimizing overhead related to executive salaries. Transparency appears adequate given the availability of 990 filings, but a deeper dive into the nature of its expenses would be beneficial to understand its operational efficiency fully. The foundation's assets have generally grown over the long term, from $145,943 in 2012 to $315,787 in 2023, despite recent dips, indicating some level of financial stewardship.