Is South Meadow Foundation Legit?

Red Flags

Consistent operational deficits with expenses exceeding revenue in recent years (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019).
Declining asset base, from $3,037,940 in 2019 to $2,806,377 in 2023, indicating a draw-down of capital.
Significant and unexplained drop in revenue from $359,571 in 2021 to $72,054 in 2022.
Unusual consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities across multiple years, which may warrant further scrutiny.

Spending Breakdown

How South Meadow 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

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 Meadow Foundation

Is South Meadow Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, South Meadow Foundation (EIN: 201388136) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.

Is South Meadow Foundation a good charity to donate to?

South Meadow Foundation has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $1.1M. Assets: $2.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for South Meadow Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for South Meadow Foundation is 201388136. 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 Meadow Foundation spend its money?

South Meadow Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

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

You can verify South Meadow Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 201388136 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 Meadow Foundation exhibits a concerning financial trend with expenses consistently exceeding revenue in recent years, leading to a decline in assets. For example, in 2023, expenses were $176,903 against revenue of $120,939, and in 2022, expenses were $205,575 against revenue of $72,054. This operational deficit suggests a reliance on prior reserves or investment income, which is not sustainable long-term. The organization's assets have decreased from $3,037,940 in 2019 to $2,806,377 in 2023, indicating a draw-down of capital. 

While the organization reports zero officer compensation across all available filings, which is a positive indicator for minimizing administrative overhead, the overall financial health is challenged by the persistent revenue shortfall. The NTEE code T20 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations) suggests its primary activity is grantmaking, but without detailed expense breakdowns, it's difficult to assess spending efficiency beyond the top-line figures. The consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities across multiple years is unusual and might warrant further investigation into accounting practices or could simply indicate minimal operational debt.

Transparency appears adequate in terms of filing history, with 10 filings available. However, the lack of detailed expense categorization in the provided data makes a full assessment of program efficiency challenging. The significant drop in revenue from $359,571 in 2021 to $72,054 in 2022 and $120,939 in 2023 is a major concern, indicating potential instability in funding sources.

Verdict: South Meadow Foundation shows mixed signals