Is The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc (EIN: 203944602)
Verdict: The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$10.3MRevenue
$15.2MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits (e.g., $1.6 million in 2023) without clear explanation of funding sources to cover them.
0% officer compensation reported across all filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of this scale and warrants further inquiry into leadership compensation structure.
Strengths
Strong asset base, consistently above $12 million in recent years, providing financial stability.
Long history of IRS 990 filings, indicating good transparency and compliance.
No reported officer compensation, suggesting a strong commitment to directing funds towards the mission.
Significant revenue generation, with multiple years exceeding $10 million, demonstrating fundraising capacity.
Spending Breakdown
How The Michelson Found Animals 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 Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc
Is The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc (EIN: 203944602) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $10.3M. Assets: $15.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc is 203944602. 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 Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc spend its money?
The Michelson Found Animals 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 Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 203944602 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 Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc demonstrates a generally stable financial position with consistent asset growth over the past decade, reaching $14.4 million in 2023. While revenue has fluctuated, with a notable dip in 2023 to $6.07 million from $11.9 million in 2022, the organization has managed its expenses, often operating at a deficit in recent years (e.g., $7.7 million expenses vs. $6.07 million revenue in 2023). This suggests reliance on prior reserves or other funding sources to cover operational costs. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates a strong commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries, which is a positive sign for transparency and donor confidence.
The organization's spending efficiency appears to prioritize program delivery, though specific program vs. administrative vs. fundraising breakdowns are not provided in the summary data. However, the absence of officer compensation suggests a lean approach to top-level administrative costs. The foundation's ability to maintain significant assets despite periods of operational deficits indicates sound financial management and potentially a robust endowment or investment strategy. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a long period also points to good transparency practices.