Quick charity verification for Swanson Family Foundation (EIN: 208249043)
Verdict: Swanson Family Foundation shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$248KRevenue
$1.1MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits (e.g., 2023 expenses $325,797 vs. revenue $48,417)
Significant decline in assets from $1,903,759 in 2021 to $1,440,014 in 2023
Highly volatile revenue streams, making financial planning unpredictable
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds for leadership costs.
Consistently low liabilities ($1 in most recent filings), suggesting good debt management.
Long filing history (10 filings) indicates consistent reporting and operational presence.
Spending Breakdown
How Swanson Family Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Swanson Family Foundation
Is Swanson Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Swanson Family Foundation (EIN: 208249043) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Swanson Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Swanson Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $248K. Assets: $1.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Swanson Family Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Swanson Family Foundation is 208249043. 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 Swanson Family Foundation spend its money?
Swanson Family Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Swanson Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Swanson Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 208249043 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 Swanson Family Foundation exhibits inconsistent financial activity, with revenue fluctuating significantly over the past decade. For instance, revenue was $2,901,925 in 2021 but dropped to $48,417 in 2023. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for resource allocation directly to its mission. However, the foundation has frequently operated at a deficit, with expenses often exceeding revenue, such as in 2023 where expenses were $325,797 against $48,417 in revenue. This pattern suggests reliance on prior year assets or external funding beyond annual revenue to cover operational costs. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities ($1) across most years indicates a healthy balance sheet in terms of debt management.
While the foundation's transparency regarding executive compensation is excellent (reporting 0%), a detailed breakdown of program versus administrative and fundraising expenses is not readily available in the provided summary data, making a precise assessment of spending efficiency challenging. The significant decrease in assets from $1,903,759 in 2021 to $1,440,014 in 2023, alongside consistent deficits, raises questions about the sustainability of its financial model if not addressed. The foundation's NTEE code T20 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations) suggests its primary activity is grantmaking, which typically involves distributing funds rather than direct program delivery, influencing how its 'program spending' might be interpreted.
Overall, the Swanson Family Foundation demonstrates strong transparency in executive compensation and low liabilities. However, its financial health is marked by volatile revenue and consistent operating deficits, leading to a decline in assets in recent years. A deeper dive into the allocation of its expenses would be necessary to fully assess its spending efficiency and the impact of its grantmaking activities.