Is Tenacre Foundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for Tenacre Foundation (EIN: 210577480)

Verdict: Tenacre Foundation appears trustworthy

80/100Mission Score

$215.9MRevenue

$379.5MAssets

3Red Flags

3Strengths

Red Flags

Consistent 0% officer compensation reported for a large organization, which may obscure actual executive remuneration.
Significant fluctuations in assets, including a substantial decrease of over $160 million between 2021 and 2023, without immediate explanation.
High liabilities relative to assets in some periods, such as $71,533,109 in liabilities against $375,650,707 in assets in 202304, which warrants monitoring.

Strengths

Substantial and growing asset base, reaching $379,508,875 (latest available), providing long-term financial stability.
Consistent generation of significant revenue, with the latest reported at $215,894,499, indicating strong fundraising or investment income.
Generally positive net income in most recent periods, with revenues often exceeding expenses, such as $169,308,668 revenue vs. $153,933,240 expenses in 202204.

Spending Breakdown

How Tenacre 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

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 Tenacre Foundation

Is Tenacre Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Tenacre Foundation (EIN: 210577480) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 80/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Tenacre Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Tenacre Foundation has a Mission Score of 80/100. Revenue: $215.9M. Assets: $379.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Tenacre Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Tenacre Foundation is 210577480. 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 Tenacre Foundation spend its money?

Tenacre Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Tenacre Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Tenacre Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 210577480 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

Tenacre Foundation demonstrates a generally strong financial position, with substantial assets and consistent revenue generation over the past decade. In the latest filing (202304), the organization reported revenues of $94,567,488 against expenses of $93,849,411, indicating a near break-even operational year. Historically, the foundation has shown significant growth in both revenue and assets, though there have been fluctuations, such as a notable decrease in assets from $536,940,723 in 202104 to $375,650,707 in 202304. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a high degree of transparency regarding executive pay, or that compensation is structured in a way that it is not reported as 'officer compensation' on the 990, which would warrant further investigation.

The organization's spending efficiency appears reasonable, with expenses generally aligning with or slightly below revenues in most recent periods. For instance, in 202204, expenses were $153,933,240 against revenues of $169,308,668, leaving a surplus. The significant asset base of $379,508,875 (latest available) provides a strong financial cushion. However, the substantial liabilities, such as $71,533,109 in 202304, should be monitored to ensure they remain manageable relative to assets and operational cash flow. The NTEE code X200 (Foundations, Grantmaking) suggests its primary activity is grantmaking, which typically involves distributing funds to other organizations rather than direct program delivery, influencing how 'program spending' is interpreted.

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Disclaimer

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