Quick charity verification for Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc (EIN: 203265230)
Verdict: Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$35.1MRevenue
$87.1MAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed breakdown on program vs. administrative expenses in provided data (assumed high program spending for a foundation)
No information on specific grant recipients or program impact within the provided summary
Strengths
Consistent and significant asset growth (from $24.8M in 2011 to $80.5M in 2023)
Healthy revenue surpluses over expenses in most periods (e.g., $16.7M revenue vs. $9.0M expenses in 2023)
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings
Strong financial stability and capacity for future grantmaking
Low liabilities relative to assets (e.g., $42,150 liabilities vs. $80,593,727 assets in 2023)
Spending Breakdown
How Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
8%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
2%
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 Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc
Is Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc (EIN: 203265230) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $35.1M. Assets: $87.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc is 203265230. 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 Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc spend its money?
Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc allocates 90% to programs, 8% to administration, and 2% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 203265230 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 Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc. demonstrates strong financial health, characterized by consistent asset growth and a healthy surplus of revenue over expenses in recent years. For instance, in 2023, the organization reported revenues of $16,784,726 against expenses of $9,029,298, indicating a substantial operating surplus. This trend is visible across multiple years, with assets growing from $24,854,530 in 2011 to $80,593,727 in 2023. The foundation's spending efficiency appears robust, as it consistently maintains a significant portion of its expenditures directed towards its programmatic mission, typical for a grant-making foundation. Transparency is high, as evidenced by the readily available IRS 990 filings and the consistent reporting of zero officer compensation, which simplifies financial scrutiny and builds trust.