Is Studebaker National Museum Foundation Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Studebaker National Museum Foundation Inc (EIN: 208028196)
Verdict: Studebaker National Museum Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$91KRevenue
$1.4MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Limited direct program spending reported by the foundation itself (as it's a supporting foundation)
Strengths
Exceptional financial efficiency with very low expense ratios (e.g., $5,579 expenses on $52,531 revenue in 2023)
Consistent and significant asset growth over time (from $471,120 in 2013 to $1,445,100 currently)
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating volunteer leadership or external compensation
Strong balance sheet with virtually no liabilities reported
Clear mission as a supporting foundation for the Studebaker National Museum
Spending Breakdown
How Studebaker National Museum Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
95%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Studebaker National Museum Foundation Inc
Is Studebaker National Museum Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Studebaker National Museum Foundation Inc (EIN: 208028196) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Studebaker National Museum Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Studebaker National Museum Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $91K. Assets: $1.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Studebaker National Museum Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Studebaker National Museum Foundation Inc is 208028196. 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 Studebaker National Museum Foundation Inc spend its money?
Studebaker National Museum Foundation Inc allocates 95% to programs, 5% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Studebaker National Museum Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Studebaker National Museum Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 208028196 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 Studebaker National Museum Foundation Inc. demonstrates strong financial health with consistently growing assets, reaching $1,445,100 in its latest filing. The organization maintains extremely low expenses relative to its revenue, indicating highly efficient operations. For instance, in 2023, it reported $52,531 in revenue against only $5,579 in expenses. This suggests a focus on asset accumulation and endowment building, which is common for foundations supporting museums. The absence of liabilities across most filing periods further underscores its robust financial position and responsible fiscal management. The organization's transparency is high, with consistent IRS 990 filings and clear reporting of zero officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence.
The spending efficiency is exceptional, with expenses typically representing a very small fraction of revenue. This structure implies that the foundation primarily acts as a fundraising and asset management entity, channeling funds to support the Studebaker National Museum rather than directly incurring significant program delivery costs itself. The consistent growth in assets over time, from $471,120 in 2013 to over $1.4 million currently, reflects successful financial stewardship and a long-term strategic approach to supporting its mission.
Given its role as a foundation, the low expense ratio and high asset growth are expected and positive. The lack of officer compensation further enhances its appeal, demonstrating that leadership is likely volunteer-based or compensated through other means, ensuring more funds are retained for the foundation's purpose. Overall, the Studebaker National Museum Foundation Inc. appears to be a well-managed and financially sound organization with a clear focus on its mission through prudent financial practices.