Quick charity verification for Starfish Fund (EIN: 20811842)
Verdict: Starfish Fund appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$1.7MRevenue
$5.4MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Highly volatile revenue streams, as seen with $5,000,449 in 2014, $9,224 in 2015, and $333,181 in 2023, which could impact long-term program stability.
Expenses exceeded revenue in multiple periods (e.g., 202306: Revenue=$333,181, Expenses=$549,401; 201906: Revenue=$192,087, Expenses=$308,613), indicating reliance on reserves or prior year surpluses.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong commitment to mission and efficient use of funds.
Strong and growing asset base ($5,426,736 currently) providing financial stability and resilience.
Extremely low liabilities ($0-$1 across all filings) demonstrating excellent financial management and minimal debt.
Long filing history (7 filings) indicating consistent compliance and transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Starfish Fund allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Starfish Fund
Is Starfish Fund a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Starfish Fund (EIN: 20811842) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Starfish Fund a good charity to donate to?
Starfish Fund has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $1.7M. Assets: $5.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Starfish Fund?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Starfish Fund is 20811842. 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 Starfish Fund spend its money?
Starfish Fund allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Starfish Fund's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Starfish Fund's tax-exempt status using EIN 20811842 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 Starfish Fund demonstrates a generally healthy financial position with substantial assets relative to its annual revenue, indicating good financial stability. The organization's revenue has fluctuated significantly over the years, from a high of $5,000,449 in 2014 to $333,181 in 2023, and a more recent high of $1,137,747 in 2022. This volatility suggests reliance on potentially inconsistent funding sources or large, infrequent donations. Despite revenue fluctuations, assets have steadily grown from $4,989,242 in 2014 to $5,426,736 currently, showcasing effective asset management.
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is a strong indicator of financial efficiency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. This practice also enhances transparency and trust. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses (program, administrative, fundraising) from the provided data, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities ($0-$1) across all periods is a significant strength, indicating excellent financial management and low financial risk.
Overall, Starfish Fund appears to be a financially stable organization with a strong balance sheet and a commendable approach to executive compensation. The primary area for further analysis would be a detailed breakdown of their expenses to fully understand their spending efficiency across program delivery, administration, and fundraising efforts.