Expenses consistently lower than revenue in most recent periods, allowing for asset growth and reinvestment.
Alignment with NTEE code C30 (Environmental Protection & Conservation) and demonstrated capacity for large-scale operations.
Spending Breakdown
How Sustainable Markets Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
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 Sustainable Markets Foundation
Is Sustainable Markets Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sustainable Markets Foundation (EIN: 134188834) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Sustainable Markets Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Sustainable Markets Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $65.5M. Assets: $51.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Sustainable Markets Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Sustainable Markets Foundation is 134188834. 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 Sustainable Markets Foundation spend its money?
Sustainable Markets Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Sustainable Markets Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Sustainable Markets Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 134188834 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
Sustainable Markets Foundation demonstrates strong financial health and growth, with its latest reported revenue at $65,497,636 and assets at $51,207,046. The organization has shown consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $7,133,969 in 2014 to over $39 million in 2023. This growth is accompanied by a healthy accumulation of assets, indicating effective financial management and capacity building. The organization's liabilities remain relatively low compared to its assets, suggesting a stable financial position.
Spending efficiency appears robust, with expenses consistently lower than revenue in most recent periods, allowing for asset accumulation. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $30,565,908 against $39,210,071 in revenue. A key indicator of transparency and good governance is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size and suggests that executive leadership may be compensated through other means or that the organization operates with a unique compensation structure. Further investigation into how leadership is compensated would be beneficial for a complete transparency assessment.
Overall, Sustainable Markets Foundation exhibits strong financial growth and asset management. The consistent absence of reported officer compensation on the 990s is a notable point for transparency, warranting further inquiry to understand the full picture of executive remuneration. The organization's NTEE code C30 (Environmental Protection & Conservation) aligns with its mission, and its financial trajectory suggests a growing capacity to achieve its programmatic goals.