Quick charity verification for The Marshmere Foundation (EIN: 137119435)
Verdict: The Marshmere Foundation appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$68.8MRevenue
$56.9MAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Unusually low liabilities ($1 or $0) for an organization of this size, which could indicate incomplete reporting or a highly simplified financial structure.
Negative revenue reported in 202212 without further explanation in the provided data, which could signal investment losses or significant financial adjustments.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating a strong commitment to directing funds to the mission.
Significant and consistent growth in assets from $6.2 million in 2011 to over $51 million in 2023, demonstrating strong financial management and sustainability.
Low liabilities across all reported periods, indicating financial stability and minimal debt.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a decade, reflecting good governance and transparency.
Strong revenue generation in most periods, particularly $18,162,290 in 202312, supporting asset growth and mission activities.
Spending Breakdown
How The Marshmere Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
8%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
2%
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 Marshmere Foundation
Is The Marshmere Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Marshmere Foundation (EIN: 137119435) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is The Marshmere Foundation a good charity to donate to?
The Marshmere Foundation has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $68.8M. Assets: $56.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Marshmere Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Marshmere Foundation is 137119435. 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 Marshmere Foundation spend its money?
The Marshmere Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 8% to administration, and 2% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Marshmere Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Marshmere Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 137119435 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 Marshmere Foundation demonstrates strong financial health, particularly in its asset growth and program spending efficiency. In the 202312 period, the organization reported revenue of $18,162,290 against expenses of $2,630,853, indicating a significant surplus that contributes to its substantial asset base of $51,669,665. Over its filing history, the foundation has consistently maintained low liabilities, often reporting only $1 or $0, which is a positive indicator of financial stability and responsible management. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a high degree of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries.
The foundation's spending efficiency appears robust, with expenses generally well below revenue, allowing for asset accumulation. While a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't explicitly provided in the summary data, the overall low expense figures relative to revenue suggest that a significant portion of funds is either being held for future programming or directly applied to mission-related activities. The absence of officer compensation further enhances its efficiency profile. The organization's NTEE code T20Z (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations) implies its primary function is grantmaking, which inherently involves directing funds to other charitable causes.
Transparency is a notable strength, primarily due to the consistent disclosure of 0% officer compensation. This level of transparency regarding executive pay is commendable and builds trust. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a decade also indicates a commitment to public accountability. The significant growth in assets from $6,253,951 in 2011 to $51,669,665 in 2023, alongside generally positive revenue trends (despite a negative revenue period in 202212, which could be due to investment losses or accounting adjustments), points to a well-managed and financially sound organization.