Is Stern Family Foundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for Stern Family Foundation (EIN: 133956806)

Verdict: Stern Family Foundation appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score
$3.1MRevenue
$11.4MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths

Red Flags

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How Stern Family Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
8%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
2%
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 Stern Family Foundation

Is Stern Family Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Stern Family Foundation (EIN: 133956806) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Stern Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Stern Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $3.1M. Assets: $11.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Stern Family Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Stern Family Foundation is 133956806. 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 Stern Family Foundation spend its money?

Stern Family Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 8% to administration, and 2% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Stern Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Stern Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 133956806 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 Stern Family Foundation, with assets of $11,357,223, appears to be a grant-making private foundation, as indicated by its NTEE code T20Z and consistent revenue and expense patterns. Its financial health shows a trend of declining assets in recent years, from $12,914,585 in 2019 to $11,189,368 in 2023, alongside expenses frequently exceeding revenue, such as in 2023 where expenses were $1,049,949 against revenue of $406,479. This suggests the foundation is spending down its principal or experiencing investment losses. The organization demonstrates strong transparency regarding executive compensation, reporting 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is a positive indicator for donor trust. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging, though the consistent deficit spending warrants closer examination.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.

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