Is Southern Oklahoma Higher Educationfoundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for Southern Oklahoma Higher Educationfoundation (EIN: 204165561)

Verdict: Southern Oklahoma Higher Educationfoundation shows mixed signals

65/100Mission Score
$56KRevenue
$558KAssets
4Red Flags
3Strengths

Red Flags

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How Southern Oklahoma Higher Educationfoundation 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 Southern Oklahoma Higher Educationfoundation

Is Southern Oklahoma Higher Educationfoundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Southern Oklahoma Higher Educationfoundation (EIN: 204165561) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Southern Oklahoma Higher Educationfoundation a good charity to donate to?

Southern Oklahoma Higher Educationfoundation has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $56K. Assets: $558K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Southern Oklahoma Higher Educationfoundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Southern Oklahoma Higher Educationfoundation is 204165561. 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 Southern Oklahoma Higher Educationfoundation spend its money?

Southern Oklahoma Higher Educationfoundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Southern Oklahoma Higher Educationfoundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Southern Oklahoma Higher Educationfoundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 204165561 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 Southern Oklahoma Higher Education Foundation exhibits highly volatile financial performance over the past decade, with revenues fluctuating wildly from a low of $56,378 in the latest period to a high of $10,250,981 in 2014. This inconsistency makes it challenging to assess long-term financial stability. The organization consistently reports zero liabilities across all available filings, which is a positive indicator of financial solvency and low debt burden. However, the significant decline in assets from a peak of $9,627,186 in 2014 to $558,165 currently raises concerns about the sustainability of its endowment or long-term funding model. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests either a fully volunteer-run leadership or that compensation is not disclosed in a way that is easily identifiable, which could impact transparency scores depending on the actual operational structure. Spending efficiency is difficult to ascertain without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses. However, the consistent reporting of expenses often exceeding revenue in multiple years (e.g., 2019: Revenue $139,630 vs. Expenses $424,081; 2017: Revenue $539,156 vs. Expenses $6,694,748) indicates that the organization frequently operates at a deficit, drawing down on its assets. While this can be acceptable for foundations distributing grants, the dramatic decrease in assets suggests this trend is not sustainable without significant new revenue streams. Transparency is generally good regarding the availability of filings and consistent reporting of key financial metrics like assets, liabilities, and officer compensation (even if zero). The lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data is a limitation for a deeper analysis of spending efficiency. The organization's consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a notable point, suggesting either a highly efficient, volunteer-driven model or a lack of detailed disclosure regarding any indirect compensation or benefits.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.

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