Quick charity verification for The Common Sense Fund Inc (EIN: 133157570)
Verdict: The Common Sense Fund Inc shows mixed signals
60/100Mission Score
$7.5MRevenue
$22.8MAssets
3Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits (expenses exceeding revenue) in recent years (e.g., 2021-2023).
Declining asset base, suggesting reliance on reserves to cover operational shortfalls.
Unusually low and consistent reported liabilities ($1) across all filings, which may indicate incomplete financial reporting.
Strengths
No reported officer compensation, indicating strong executive compensation transparency and potentially lower administrative costs.
Maintains a substantial asset base ($23,599,464 in 2023), providing a buffer despite recent deficits.
Spending Breakdown
How The Common Sense Fund Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 Common Sense Fund Inc
Is The Common Sense Fund Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Common Sense Fund Inc (EIN: 133157570) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 60/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is The Common Sense Fund Inc a good charity to donate to?
The Common Sense Fund Inc has a Mission Score of 60/100. Revenue: $7.5M. Assets: $22.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Common Sense Fund Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Common Sense Fund Inc is 133157570. 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 Common Sense Fund Inc spend its money?
The Common Sense Fund Inc allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Common Sense Fund Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Common Sense Fund Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 133157570 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 Common Sense Fund Inc. exhibits a concerning trend of spending significantly more than its revenue in recent years, indicating potential long-term financial instability if not addressed. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $3,419,070 against revenues of $2,122,032, and similar deficits are seen in 2022 and 2021. While the organization maintains substantial assets, reported at $23,599,464 in 2023, these assets have been steadily declining from a peak of $27,478,483 in 2020, suggesting that the organization may be drawing down its reserves to cover operational shortfalls. The consistent reporting of only $1 in liabilities across all filings is unusual and warrants further investigation to ensure a complete financial picture is being presented. The absence of reported officer compensation is a positive indicator for transparency regarding executive pay, but the overall financial health is challenged by persistent operating deficits.