Quick charity verification for Susan And Eliot Black Foundation (EIN: 134085055)
Verdict: Susan And Eliot Black Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$516KRevenue
$3.9MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeded revenue in 2023 ($265,436 vs. $155,740), 2022 ($172,420 vs. $54,977), and 2019 ($136,387 vs. $61,673), indicating a pattern of deficit spending in some periods.
Strengths
Consistent growth in assets from $1,359,331 in 2011 to $3,869,749 in 2023.
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating high efficiency in executive pay.
Minimal liabilities ($0 or $1) consistently reported, demonstrating strong financial management and low debt.
Strong asset base provides long-term financial security for its charitable mission.
Spending Breakdown
How Susan And Eliot Black Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Susan And Eliot Black Foundation
Is Susan And Eliot Black Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Susan And Eliot Black Foundation (EIN: 134085055) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Susan And Eliot Black Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Susan And Eliot Black Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $516K. Assets: $3.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Susan And Eliot Black Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Susan And Eliot Black Foundation is 134085055. 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 Susan And Eliot Black Foundation spend its money?
Susan And Eliot Black Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Susan And Eliot Black Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Susan And Eliot Black Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 134085055 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 Susan And Eliot Black Foundation, a private foundation, demonstrates consistent financial stability with assets growing from $1,359,331 in 2011 to $3,869,749 in 2023. Revenue has fluctuated significantly, peaking at $2,298,577 in 2020, but showing a recent decline to $155,740 in 2023. The foundation consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence regarding executive pay. However, the 2023 filing shows expenses ($265,436) exceeding revenue ($155,740), indicating a draw on assets or prior year surpluses. This trend of expenses exceeding revenue is also visible in 2022 and 2019, suggesting a pattern of spending more than it takes in during certain periods.
Given its nature as a private foundation (NTEE T90), its primary function is typically grant-making rather than direct program delivery, which influences its spending efficiency metrics. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities ($0 or $1) across all filings indicates sound financial management and low debt risk. The absence of officer compensation enhances its transparency and suggests that resources are directed towards its charitable purpose rather than administrative overhead in the form of salaries.
While the foundation's asset growth is strong, the recent trend of negative net income (expenses exceeding revenue) warrants attention. For instance, in 2023, the foundation spent $109,696 more than it received. This is not necessarily a red flag for a foundation that strategically spends down its endowment, but consistent deficits without a clear strategy could impact long-term sustainability. Overall, the foundation appears transparent in its reporting, particularly regarding compensation, and maintains a healthy asset base.