Quick charity verification for The 1890 Universities Foundation (EIN: 205683899)
Verdict: The 1890 Universities Foundation appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$3.2MRevenue
$4.1MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeded revenue in the last two reported periods (2022 and 2023), with a deficit of over $900,000 in 2023.
Strengths
Consistent and significant growth in assets, from $90,965 in 2017 to $4,168,469 in 2023, indicating strong financial management.
Reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting a high dedication of funds to programmatic activities.
Substantial revenue growth from $389,684 in 2017 to over $4 million in 2023, demonstrating successful fundraising and program expansion.
Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms, indicating good transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How The 1890 Universities 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 The 1890 Universities Foundation
Is The 1890 Universities Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The 1890 Universities Foundation (EIN: 205683899) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is The 1890 Universities Foundation a good charity to donate to?
The 1890 Universities Foundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $3.2M. Assets: $4.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The 1890 Universities Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The 1890 Universities Foundation is 205683899. 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 The 1890 Universities Foundation spend its money?
The 1890 Universities Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The 1890 Universities Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The 1890 Universities Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205683899 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 1890 Universities Foundation demonstrates a generally healthy financial position, with assets consistently growing over the past five years, from $90,965 in 2017 to $4,168,469 in 2023. This indicates effective asset management and financial stability. However, the organization has reported expenses exceeding revenue in the last two periods, with expenses of $4,991,980 against revenue of $4,088,670 in 2023, and $3,645,472 against $3,292,231 in 2022. While this could be due to strategic investments or timing of grants, sustained deficits could impact long-term sustainability if not addressed.
The organization's spending efficiency appears to be strong, particularly given the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This suggests that a significant portion of funds is likely directed towards programmatic activities rather than executive salaries. The consistent growth in revenue and assets, alongside the absence of officer compensation, points to a well-managed and program-focused operation. The NTEE code Q20 (Higher Education Institutions) aligns with their mission, and the financial data supports a focus on their educational objectives.
Transparency is high regarding executive compensation, as the 0% reported officer compensation is a clear indicator. The consistent filing of IRS 990 forms over five periods further enhances transparency, allowing for public scrutiny of their financial activities. The growth trajectory from under $400,000 in revenue in 2017 to over $4 million in 2023 indicates significant expansion and increased financial activity, which has been consistently reported.