Is South Haven Community Foundation Legit?…

Quick charity verification for South Haven Community Foundation (EIN: 203841038)

Strengths

Exceptional asset growth, from $616,853 in 2016 to over $6 million in 2023.
Consistently very low expense-to-revenue ratios across multiple periods (e.g., $57,017 expenses on $585,047 revenue in 2023).
Zero reported officer compensation across all 14 filings, indicating high efficiency and dedication to mission.
Strong financial stability with minimal liabilities relative to assets.
Consistent and transparent IRS 990 filing history.

Spending Breakdown

How South Haven Community Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

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 South Haven Community Foundation

Is South Haven Community Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, South Haven Community Foundation (EIN: 203841038) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is South Haven Community Foundation a good charity to donate to?

South Haven Community Foundation has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $399K. Assets: $6.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for South Haven Community Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for South Haven Community Foundation is 203841038. 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 South Haven Community Foundation spend its money?

South Haven Community Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify South Haven Community Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify South Haven Community Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 203841038 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 South Haven Community Foundation demonstrates strong financial health, particularly in its asset growth and low expense ratios. Over the past several years, the organization has consistently grown its assets, reaching $6,025,558 by December 2023, indicating effective long-term financial management. The expense ratios are remarkably low across most periods, for instance, only $57,017 in expenses against $585,047 in revenue for the period ending December 2023, suggesting a highly efficient operational model. This efficiency, coupled with zero reported officer compensation, points to a strong commitment to directing resources towards its mission rather than administrative overhead.

The foundation's financial transparency is excellent, with a consistent history of 14 IRS 990 filings and zero reported officer compensation across all available periods. This indicates that the organization is likely volunteer-led or has its leadership compensated through other means not reported as officer compensation on the 990, which is a positive sign for donor confidence. The significant growth in revenue and assets over time, from $22,361 in revenue and $616,853 in assets in 2016 to over $1.5 million in revenue and $5.5 million in assets in 2023, showcases a robust and expanding financial base, enabling greater community impact.

While the expense-to-revenue ratio is very low, suggesting high efficiency, a detailed breakdown of program spending versus administrative and fundraising costs is not explicitly provided in the summary data. However, the overall low expense figures imply that a substantial portion of funds is either retained for endowment growth or directly allocated to programs. The consistent growth in assets and minimal liabilities further solidify its financial stability and capacity for sustained community support.

Is South Haven Community Foundation Legit?

Verdict: South Haven Community Foundation appears trustworthy