Is T Boone Pickens Foundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for T Boone Pickens Foundation (EIN: 205892962)

Verdict: T Boone Pickens Foundation appears trustworthy

70/100Mission Score
$12.5MRevenue
$7.4MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths

Red Flags

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How T Boone Pickens 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 T Boone Pickens Foundation

Is T Boone Pickens Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, T Boone Pickens Foundation (EIN: 205892962) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is T Boone Pickens Foundation a good charity to donate to?

T Boone Pickens Foundation has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $12.5M. Assets: $7.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for T Boone Pickens Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for T Boone Pickens Foundation is 205892962. 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 T Boone Pickens Foundation spend its money?

T Boone Pickens Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify T Boone Pickens Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify T Boone Pickens Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205892962 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 T Boone Pickens Foundation exhibits a highly unusual financial profile, characterized by significant fluctuations in revenue and expenses over its filing history. While the latest reported revenue is substantial at $12,475,358, this figure appears to be an outlier compared to most prior years where revenue was significantly lower, often in the thousands or hundreds of thousands. The organization consistently reports minimal liabilities ($1), suggesting a strong balance sheet in terms of debt. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings raises questions about how the organization's leadership is compensated, or if it is entirely volunteer-run, which would be a notable strength for efficiency. The NTEE code T22 suggests a focus on grantmaking foundations, which typically have low program expenses relative to their grants paid, but the provided data does not detail program spending versus administrative costs, making a full efficiency assessment challenging. The foundation's financial health appears robust based on its latest assets of $7,377,368 and minimal liabilities. However, the erratic revenue and expense patterns, such as revenue of $3,802 against expenses of $78,270 in 2022, or revenue of $531,907 against expenses of $725 in 2019, indicate an inconsistent operational model or significant reliance on non-recurring income events. Without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, it's difficult to definitively assess spending efficiency. The lack of reported officer compensation is a positive indicator for minimizing overhead, but further transparency on other operational costs would be beneficial for a comprehensive understanding of its financial management.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.

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