Is The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation Legit?

Quick charity verification for The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation (EIN: 133480472)

Verdict: The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation appears trustworthy

70/100Mission Score
$4.8MRevenue
$191.6MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths

Red Flags

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation

Is The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation (EIN: 133480472) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation a good charity to donate to?

The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $4.8M. Assets: $191.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation is 133480472. 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 Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation spend its money?

The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 133480472 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 Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation demonstrates a consistent financial pattern of spending significantly more than its annual revenue, drawing down its substantial asset base over time. For instance, in 2023, the foundation reported revenue of $1,374,980 against expenses of $2,853,773, and in 2022, revenue was $2,886,823 compared to expenses of $8,067,506. While this is not inherently problematic for a foundation with a large endowment, it indicates a strategy of capital deployment rather than self-sustainability through annual income. The foundation's assets have decreased from $235,382,790 in 2011 to $191,586,726 currently, reflecting this operational model. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation across all available filings, which is a notable aspect of its financial management and transparency. This suggests that executive leadership is either unpaid or compensated through other means not reported as officer compensation on the 990, or that the foundation operates with a volunteer executive structure. Further details on program spending versus administrative and fundraising costs would be necessary for a complete assessment of spending efficiency, as the provided data does not break down expenses by functional categories. However, the consistent reporting of minimal liabilities ($1 in recent years) indicates sound financial management regarding debt.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.

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