Quick charity verification for The Gurdjieff Foundation Inc (EIN: 131685156)
Verdict: The Gurdjieff Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$2.8MRevenue
$10.4MAssets
3Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits (e.g., 2022: $859,515 revenue vs. $1,040,953 expenses)
Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data
No reported officer compensation for an organization with over $10 million in assets, which is atypical
Strengths
Strong and growing asset base ($10,437,737 latest assets)
Very low liabilities (e.g., $29,464 in 2022), indicating strong solvency
Consistent IRS 990 filing history (13 filings), demonstrating compliance
No reported executive compensation, suggesting a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure
Spending Breakdown
How The Gurdjieff Foundation Inc 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 Gurdjieff Foundation Inc
Is The Gurdjieff Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Gurdjieff Foundation Inc (EIN: 131685156) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is The Gurdjieff Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
The Gurdjieff Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $2.8M. Assets: $10.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Gurdjieff Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Gurdjieff Foundation Inc is 131685156. 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 Gurdjieff Foundation Inc spend its money?
The Gurdjieff Foundation Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Gurdjieff Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Gurdjieff Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 131685156 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 Gurdjieff Foundation Inc. demonstrates a consistent operational deficit over the past decade, with expenses regularly exceeding revenue. For example, in 2022, expenses were $1,040,953 against revenues of $859,515, and this trend is visible across most years. Despite these deficits, the organization has maintained a healthy and growing asset base, reaching $10,437,737 in its latest filing, suggesting significant prior endowments or investment income not fully captured in annual revenue figures, or perhaps substantial non-cash contributions. The organization's liabilities are consistently very low, indicating strong financial solvency in terms of debt.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program service expenses versus administrative and fundraising costs, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a lean administrative structure, at least at the executive level. The consistent operational deficits, while offset by asset growth, warrant closer examination to understand the long-term sustainability of their funding model.
Transparency appears strong regarding executive compensation, with no reported officer compensation. However, a more detailed breakdown of functional expenses (program, administrative, fundraising) would enhance transparency and allow for a more precise evaluation of spending efficiency. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods indicates good compliance with reporting requirements.