Quick charity verification for The Smith Ramsey Foundation (EIN: 205983244)
Verdict: The Smith Ramsey Foundation has notable concerns
35/100Mission Score
$4KRevenue
$92KAssets
5Red Flags
1Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent negative revenue in multiple recent periods (e.g., -$77,446 in 2023, -$2,349 in 2020).
Dramatic decline in total assets from $858,535 in 2011 to $92,457 currently.
Latest revenue of $3,725 is insufficient to cover even modest expenses, indicating financial instability.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown in the provided data makes it difficult to assess spending efficiency.
Pattern of spending exceeding revenue for many years, leading to asset depletion.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating no executive salaries are drawn from the foundation's funds.
Spending Breakdown
How The Smith Ramsey Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
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 Smith Ramsey Foundation
Is The Smith Ramsey Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Smith Ramsey Foundation (EIN: 205983244) has notable concerns. Mission Score: 35/100. 5 red flags identified, 1 strength noted.
Is The Smith Ramsey Foundation a good charity to donate to?
The Smith Ramsey Foundation has a Mission Score of 35/100. Revenue: $4K. Assets: $92K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Smith Ramsey Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Smith Ramsey Foundation is 205983244. 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 Smith Ramsey Foundation spend its money?
The Smith Ramsey Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Smith Ramsey Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Smith Ramsey Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205983244 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 Smith Ramsey Foundation exhibits concerning financial trends, particularly a pattern of negative revenue in multiple recent periods, including a significant -$77,446 in 2023 and -$832,614 in 2011. While the organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, which can be a positive for donor confidence, its overall financial health appears to be in decline, with assets shrinking from $858,535 in 2011 to $92,457 currently. The latest reported revenue is only $3,725, which is insufficient to cover even modest operational expenses. The NTEE code T20 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations) suggests its primary activity is grantmaking, but without detailed expense breakdowns, it's difficult to assess spending efficiency beyond the overall financial instability.
The consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities in recent years, after periods of $0, is a minor but curious detail. The lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes a precise assessment of program versus administrative spending impossible. However, the overall trend of declining assets and frequent negative revenue periods raises significant questions about the foundation's long-term sustainability and its ability to effectively fulfill its mission. The organization's transparency is limited by the lack of granular expense data in the provided summary, making it challenging to fully evaluate its operational efficiency.