Quick charity verification for Stern Family Foundation (EIN: 208015847)
Verdict: Stern Family Foundation shows mixed signals
45/100Mission Score
$48KRevenue
$192KAssets
3Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits, with expenses significantly exceeding revenue in multiple years (e.g., $102,534 expenses vs. $3,171 revenue in 2023).
Significant decline in total assets over time, from $600,711 in 2011 to $188,093 in 2023, indicating unsustainable spending.
Negative revenue reported in some years (e.g., -$11,580 in 2015), which is unusual and warrants further investigation into its financial activities.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating a commitment to minimizing executive overhead.
Minimal liabilities reported ($0-$1 across all filings), suggesting the organization is not burdened by debt.
Spending Breakdown
How Stern 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 Stern Family Foundation
Is Stern Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Stern Family Foundation (EIN: 208015847) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 45/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Stern Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Stern Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 45/100. Revenue: $48K. Assets: $192K. 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 208015847. 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 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% 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 208015847 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 exhibits a concerning financial trend, with expenses consistently exceeding revenue in recent years, notably in 2023 where expenses were $102,534 against only $3,171 in revenue. This has led to a significant decline in assets, from $600,711 in 2011 to $188,093 in 2023. While the organization maintains minimal liabilities, indicating a lack of debt, the sustained operational deficit raises questions about its long-term sustainability and funding model. The foundation's transparency appears adequate given the availability of 990 filings, but the financial performance suggests a need for strategic re-evaluation.
The foundation's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses within the provided data. However, the substantial negative net income in multiple years, such as -$100,000 in 2023 and -$170,000 in 2015, indicates that the organization is spending significantly more than it brings in. This pattern is unsustainable and suggests that current spending levels are not efficient relative to its revenue generation. The consistent decline in assets further underscores this inefficiency and potential overspending relative to its financial capacity.
Regarding transparency, the availability of 10 years of IRS 990 filings is a positive indicator. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation also suggests a commitment to minimizing overhead in that specific area. However, without more granular expense data, it's challenging to fully evaluate how efficiently funds are being allocated across different functions. The overall financial picture, characterized by declining assets and persistent deficits, points to a need for greater financial stability and potentially more transparent reporting on how expenses are categorized to understand the true impact of its spending.