Quick charity verification for The Jed Foundation (EIN: 134131139)
Verdict: The Jed Foundation appears trustworthy
88/100Mission Score
$60.1MRevenue
$37.5MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Unexplained 0% officer compensation across all filings for a large organization, potentially obscuring executive pay details.
Expenses exceeded revenue by over $5 million in the 202312 period, though this follows a large surplus in the prior year.
Strengths
Strong and consistent asset growth, from $2.9 million in 2014 to $36.7 million in 2023.
Significant revenue growth over the past decade, peaking at $29.7 million in 2022.
Substantial surplus of over $11 million in 202212, indicating strong financial performance.
Low liabilities relative to assets, suggesting good financial health and solvency.
Spending Breakdown
How The Jed 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 Jed Foundation
Is The Jed Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Jed Foundation (EIN: 134131139) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 88/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is The Jed Foundation a good charity to donate to?
The Jed Foundation has a Mission Score of 88/100. Revenue: $60.1M. Assets: $37.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Jed Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Jed Foundation is 134131139. 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 Jed Foundation spend its money?
The Jed Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Jed Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Jed Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 134131139 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 Jed Foundation demonstrates strong financial health and a commitment to its mission, particularly in recent years. While the latest filing (202312) shows expenses exceeding revenue by approximately $5.1 million ($25,788,488 vs. $20,673,662), this follows a period of significant revenue growth and surplus in 202212, where revenue outpaced expenses by over $11 million ($29,793,962 vs. $18,663,187). This suggests strategic investment or expansion rather than chronic financial instability. The organization has also shown consistent asset growth, from $2.9 million in 2014 to $36.7 million in 2023, indicating effective financial management and accumulation of resources to support its long-term goals.
Spending efficiency appears to be robust, with a significant portion of expenses directed towards program services. Although specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the overall financial trajectory suggests a focus on mission delivery. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings is a notable aspect of its transparency and resource allocation, indicating that executive leadership is not drawing salaries from the organization, which is highly unusual and suggests a volunteer or externally funded leadership model, or that compensation is reported under other categories not specified in the summary data. This practice, if accurate, would significantly enhance its spending efficiency.
Overall, The Jed Foundation exhibits a healthy financial position with substantial assets and a history of strong revenue generation. The recent deficit in 2023 should be viewed in the context of prior surpluses and overall growth. The lack of reported officer compensation is a significant positive indicator for transparency and efficient use of funds, assuming this reflects the true compensation structure. Further detailed analysis of the full 990 forms would be needed to confirm the exact spending ratios and executive compensation details.