Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 years) indicates good transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How The Lamp Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Lamp Foundation Inc
Is The Lamp Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Lamp Foundation Inc (EIN: 134336539) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is The Lamp Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
The Lamp Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $784K. Assets: $707K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Lamp Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Lamp Foundation Inc is 134336539. 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 Lamp Foundation Inc spend its money?
The Lamp Foundation Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Lamp Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Lamp Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 134336539 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 Lamp Foundation Inc demonstrates a fluctuating but generally healthy financial profile over the past decade. While revenue and expenses have varied significantly year-to-year, such as a peak revenue of $1,866,053 in 2022 followed by a drop to $409,065 in 2023, the organization has consistently maintained positive net assets, growing from $291,427 in 2015 to $542,587 in 2023. This indicates a capacity to build reserves and manage operational costs, even during periods of lower income. The organization's liabilities have remained relatively low across all reported periods, suggesting sound financial management and limited reliance on debt.
Spending efficiency appears to be a strength, as evidenced by the consistent growth in assets relative to liabilities. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a volunteer-driven leadership or that compensation is covered by other entities, which can contribute to lower administrative overhead. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The organization's NTEE code E32 (Foundations) suggests its primary activity is grant-making or supporting other non-profits, which often entails different spending patterns than direct service providers.
Transparency is generally good, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings available, indicating consistent reporting. The lack of officer compensation is a notable point for transparency, as it suggests either a fully volunteer board or that compensation is handled in a way not reported on the 990, which would warrant further inquiry. Overall, The Lamp Foundation Inc appears to be a financially stable organization with a good track record of asset growth and low liabilities, though more granular spending data would enhance a full efficiency assessment.