Quick charity verification for Star Foundation (EIN: 200292721)
Verdict: Star Foundation shows mixed signals
60/100Mission Score
$1.0MRevenue
$21.1MAssets
5Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Extremely low expense ratio relative to revenue (e.g., $15.2M revenue vs. $18.9K expenses in 2023).
Significant asset accumulation without corresponding program spending.
Consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities in recent years.
Unclear program activities given minimal reported expenses.
No reported officer compensation across all filings.
Strengths
Strong revenue generation capacity, as evidenced by $15.2 million in 2023.
Substantial asset base of over $20 million, providing financial stability.
No reported officer compensation, indicating potential volunteer leadership or highly efficient operations.
Spending Breakdown
How Star Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
95%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Star Foundation
Is Star Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Star Foundation (EIN: 200292721) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 60/100. 5 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Star Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Star Foundation has a Mission Score of 60/100. Revenue: $1.0M. Assets: $21.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Star Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Star Foundation is 200292721. 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 Star Foundation spend its money?
Star Foundation allocates 95% to programs, 5% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Star Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Star Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200292721 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
Star Foundation exhibits a highly unusual financial pattern, with revenue and expenses fluctuating wildly over the past decade. For example, in 2023, the organization reported over $15 million in revenue but only $18,964 in expenses, which is an extremely low spending ratio. This trend of very low expenses relative to substantial revenue is consistent across multiple years, such as 2022 ($3.9M revenue vs. $71K expenses) and 2021 ($1.7M revenue vs. $106K expenses). This suggests that a significant portion of their revenue is not being immediately deployed into programs or operations, leading to a substantial accumulation of assets, which grew from $754 in 2011 to over $20 million in 2023. The consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities in recent years also raises questions about the completeness of their financial disclosures or the nature of their operations. The lack of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates either a fully volunteer-run leadership or that compensation is reported under other expense categories, which would impact transparency.