Quick charity verification for Stephenson Family Foundation (EIN: 201687422)
Verdict: Stephenson Family Foundation shows mixed signals
40/100Mission Score
$98KRevenue
$1.9MAssets
4Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent and significant net losses (e.g., -$548,517 in 2023, -$1,647,893 in 2017).
Steep decline in assets over the past decade (from $13M in 2014 to $2M in 2023).
Expenses consistently exceeding revenue across multiple years.
Frequent negative revenue figures reported in filings.
Strengths
Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms (14 filings), indicating transparency in reporting.
No reported officer compensation, suggesting low executive overhead.
Spending Breakdown
How Stephenson Family Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 Stephenson Family Foundation
Is Stephenson Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Stephenson Family Foundation (EIN: 201687422) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 40/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Stephenson Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Stephenson Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 40/100. Revenue: $98K. Assets: $1.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Stephenson Family Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Stephenson Family Foundation is 201687422. 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 Stephenson Family Foundation spend its money?
Stephenson Family Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Stephenson Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Stephenson Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 201687422 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 Stephenson Family Foundation exhibits a concerning financial trend with significant and consistent net losses over the past several years, culminating in a -$548,517 net loss in the most recent 2023 period (Revenue $68,875 - Expenses $617,392). This pattern of expenses far exceeding revenue raises questions about the long-term sustainability of its operations and its ability to fulfill its mission effectively. While the foundation maintains substantial assets, reported at $2,095,152 in 2023, these assets have been steadily declining from a high of $13,012,431 in 2014, indicating that the organization is drawing down its principal to cover operational costs.
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 negative revenue figures suggest that the organization is not generating sufficient income to cover its expenditures. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a potential strength in minimizing overhead related to executive pay, but this needs to be balanced against the overall financial performance.
In terms of transparency, the foundation has a robust filing history with 14 IRS 990 filings, which is a positive indicator of compliance. However, the financial data itself points to a need for greater clarity on how the organization plans to address its ongoing financial deficits and stabilize its revenue streams to ensure its continued impact. The significant decline in assets over the past decade is a critical area that warrants further investigation and explanation.