Minimal liabilities reported ($1 in most recent filings), indicating sound financial management of obligations.
Substantial asset base ($364,493 in 2023) to support its grant-making mission.
Spending Breakdown
How The Morris M Messing Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Morris M Messing Foundation Inc
Is The Morris M Messing Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Morris M Messing Foundation Inc (EIN: 204642183) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is The Morris M Messing Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
The Morris M Messing Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $9K. Assets: $451K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Morris M Messing Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Morris M Messing Foundation Inc is 204642183. 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 Morris M Messing Foundation Inc spend its money?
The Morris M Messing Foundation Inc allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Morris M Messing Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Morris M Messing Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 204642183 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 Morris M Messing Foundation Inc operates as a private foundation, which is evident in its consistent revenue streams primarily from investment income rather than public donations. The organization consistently spends more than it takes in, with expenses significantly exceeding revenue in all reported periods. For example, in 2023, revenue was $14,512 while expenses were $52,099. This operational deficit is typical for foundations that distribute grants from an endowment, drawing down assets over time. The foundation maintains a healthy asset base, with $364,493 in assets in 2023, which supports its grant-making activities despite the annual operating deficit. The organization reports minimal liabilities, indicating sound financial management in that regard.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program service expenses versus administrative and fundraising costs, as the provided data only gives total expenses. However, as a private foundation, its primary 'program' is typically grant-making. The consistent lack of officer compensation (0% in all reported periods) suggests a lean operational structure at the executive level, which is a positive indicator of efficiency. The foundation's transparency is good in terms of filing its IRS Form 990s consistently, providing public access to its financial data.
Overall, the foundation appears to be fulfilling its purpose by distributing funds, as evidenced by its consistent expenses exceeding revenue, drawing down its asset base to support its mission. Its financial health is stable given its asset base, though the long-term sustainability depends on investment performance and the rate of asset distribution. The lack of officer compensation is a significant strength in terms of minimizing overhead.