Is Steele Reese Foundation 561 Legit? —…

Red Flags

Unusually high 'Latest Revenue' figure ($24,268,700) compared to historical annual revenues without explanation, potentially indicating a one-time event or reporting anomaly.
Lack of NTEE code makes it difficult to benchmark against similar organizations.
Consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities for recent years is unusual and may indicate a placeholder or minimal operational debt.

Strengths

Strong and growing asset base, currently at $36,510,346, indicating long-term financial stability.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, suggesting a high dedication of funds to mission or volunteer leadership.
Healthy surplus of revenue over expenses in recent years (e.g., $4,631,727 revenue vs. $2,606,442 expenses in 2023).
Minimal liabilities ($1 or $0 reported historically) indicating sound financial management and low debt.

Spending Breakdown

How Steele Reese Foundation 561 allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

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 Steele Reese Foundation 561

Is Steele Reese Foundation 561 a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Steele Reese Foundation 561 (EIN: 136034763) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Steele Reese Foundation 561 a good charity to donate to?

Steele Reese Foundation 561 has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $24.3M. Assets: $36.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Steele Reese Foundation 561?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Steele Reese Foundation 561 is 136034763. 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 Steele Reese Foundation 561 spend its money?

Steele Reese Foundation 561 allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Steele Reese Foundation 561's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Steele Reese Foundation 561's tax-exempt status using EIN 136034763 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 Steele Reese Foundation appears to be a financially stable organization, consistently maintaining substantial assets over the past decade, with current assets at $36,510,346. Their revenue has fluctuated, but generally shows growth, with the latest reported revenue at $24,268,700, a significant jump from previous years. This suggests a strong capacity for funding their programs. The foundation consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a notable indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards their mission rather than executive salaries.

Spending efficiency, based on the available data, seems robust. For instance, in 2023, the foundation reported $4,631,727 in revenue against $2,606,442 in expenses, indicating a healthy surplus that can be reinvested or added to their endowment. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities ($1 in recent years, or $0 previously) further underscores a sound financial management approach. Without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise efficiency ratio cannot be calculated, but the overall financial health appears strong.

In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over ten periods is a positive sign. The explicit reporting of zero officer compensation is a strong indicator of financial transparency regarding leadership remuneration. However, the lack of a specified NTEE code makes it difficult to benchmark their activities against similar organizations, and without a detailed functional expense breakdown, a full assessment of their spending allocation is limited.

Is Steele Reese Foundation 561 Legit?

Verdict: Steele Reese Foundation 561 appears trustworthy