Quick charity verification for Spencer Johnson Family Foundation (EIN: 16184578)
Verdict: Spencer Johnson Family Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$204KRevenue
$407KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Highly volatile annual revenue, including negative revenue in some periods, which could indicate reliance on asset drawdowns or significant investment losses in those years.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided summary data makes it difficult to fully assess spending efficiency.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong dedication of funds to the mission.
Very low liabilities ($0 or $1) consistently reported, suggesting sound financial management and minimal debt.
Stable asset base over a decade, demonstrating financial resilience despite revenue fluctuations.
Spending Breakdown
How Spencer Johnson Family 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 Spencer Johnson Family Foundation
Is Spencer Johnson Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Spencer Johnson Family Foundation (EIN: 16184578) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Spencer Johnson Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Spencer Johnson Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $204K. Assets: $407K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Spencer Johnson Family Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Spencer Johnson Family Foundation is 16184578. 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 Spencer Johnson Family Foundation spend its money?
Spencer Johnson Family Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Spencer Johnson Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Spencer Johnson Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 16184578 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 Spencer Johnson Family Foundation demonstrates consistent financial activity, operating with relatively stable assets around the $400,000 to $500,000 range over the past decade. While the organization's revenue has fluctuated significantly, including negative revenue in 2011 and 2012, its expenses have remained relatively consistent, typically in the $20,000 to $40,000 range annually. The foundation's latest reported revenue of $204,238 is an outlier compared to its historical performance, which usually sees much lower annual income. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all available filings indicates a strong commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries, which is a positive sign for donor confidence.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent reporting of minimal liabilities ($0 or $1) suggests sound financial management and a lack of significant debt. The foundation's transparency is high regarding executive compensation, as it consistently reports no officer compensation. Further transparency could be enhanced by providing more detailed expense breakdowns in public filings to allow for a clearer understanding of how funds are allocated between programs, administration, and fundraising.