Quick charity verification for Stella Maris Foundation (EIN: 10972846)
Verdict: Stella Maris Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$281KRevenue
$227KAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Inconsistent revenue streams leading to periods of deficit (e.g., 2020-2022 where expenses exceeded revenue).
Strengths
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency in leadership costs.
Consistently low liabilities ($0-$1) across all reported periods, demonstrating strong financial management.
Recent financial surplus in 2023 ($206,274 revenue vs. $118,190 expenses) after prior deficits.
Significant growth in assets over its operational history, from $2,187 in 2012 to $227,151 currently.
Spending Breakdown
How Stella Maris Foundation 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 Stella Maris Foundation
Is Stella Maris Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Stella Maris Foundation (EIN: 10972846) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Stella Maris Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Stella Maris Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $281K. Assets: $227K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Stella Maris Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Stella Maris Foundation is 10972846. 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 Stella Maris Foundation spend its money?
Stella Maris Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Stella Maris Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Stella Maris Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 10972846 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
Stella Maris Foundation demonstrates a fluctuating financial history, with recent revenue in 2023 at $206,274 and expenses at $118,190, indicating a surplus for that year. However, the organization experienced deficits in the preceding three years (2020-2022), with expenses exceeding revenue. For instance, in 2022, revenue was $82,140 against expenses of $131,542. The organization's assets have shown growth over its history, reaching $227,151 currently, up from $2,187 in 2012. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all available filings suggests a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure, which can be a positive indicator of efficiency and dedication to mission. The organization's liabilities have remained minimal, consistently reported as $1 or $0, indicating sound financial management in terms of debt.