Quick charity verification for The High Stakes Foundation (EIN: 205815274)
Verdict: The High Stakes Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$2.2MRevenue
$1.1MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant revenue volatility over time, which could impact long-term planning if not managed effectively.
Strengths
Consistently low liabilities, often $30 or less, indicating strong fiscal management.
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, suggesting high efficiency in executive overhead.
Strong asset base, reaching over $3 million in 2023, providing financial stability.
Positive net income in most recent years (e.g., $2,263,964 revenue vs. $1,141,388 expenses in 2023).
Spending Breakdown
How The High Stakes 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 High Stakes Foundation
Is The High Stakes Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The High Stakes Foundation (EIN: 205815274) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is The High Stakes Foundation a good charity to donate to?
The High Stakes Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $2.2M. Assets: $1.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The High Stakes Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The High Stakes Foundation is 205815274. 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 High Stakes Foundation spend its money?
The High Stakes Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The High Stakes Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The High Stakes Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205815274 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 High Stakes Foundation demonstrates a generally healthy financial position, with significant revenue growth in recent years, peaking at $2,263,964 in 2023. The organization consistently maintains substantial assets, reaching $3,195,820 in 2023, far exceeding its minimal liabilities. This indicates strong financial stability and capacity. However, without detailed expense breakdowns from the provided data, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency beyond the overall expense figures. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead at the executive level, which is a positive indicator for transparency and donor confidence.
The foundation's revenue has shown considerable fluctuation over the years, from a low of $54,181 in 2012 to a high of $2,602,959 in 2014, and then a more recent upward trend. This variability could be a point of analysis for long-term sustainability planning. The organization's liabilities have remained exceptionally low, often at $30 or less, which is a strong sign of fiscal prudence. While the overall financial health appears robust, a deeper dive into program spending versus administrative and fundraising costs would provide a more complete picture of its spending efficiency and impact.