Quick charity verification for The Sonedna Foundation (EIN: 20785163)
Verdict: The Sonedna Foundation shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant periods where expenses substantially exceeded revenue (e.g., 2015: $67,057 expenses vs. $29,813 revenue; 2014: $99,995 expenses vs. $36,492 revenue), indicating reliance on asset drawdowns.
Latest filing shows $0 revenue and $0 assets, which could signal inactivity or closure without further context.
NTEE code is unknown, making it difficult to understand the organization's specific purpose and compare its financial performance to peers.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating lean executive overhead.
History of maintaining assets, suggesting a foundation model rather than public fundraising dependency.
Demonstrated compliance with IRS filing requirements over multiple years.
Spending Breakdown
How The Sonedna Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
20%
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 Sonedna Foundation
Is The Sonedna Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Sonedna Foundation (EIN: 20785163) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is The Sonedna Foundation a good charity to donate to?
The Sonedna Foundation has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Sonedna Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Sonedna Foundation is 20785163. 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 Sonedna Foundation spend its money?
The Sonedna Foundation allocates 75% to programs, 20% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Sonedna Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Sonedna Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 20785163 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 Sonedna Foundation appears to be a small private foundation, as indicated by its consistent revenue and expense figures over the years, and the absence of officer compensation. The foundation's financial health shows a fluctuating pattern. In 2016, it reported revenue of $25,513 against expenses of $6,085, leading to an increase in assets to $46,938. However, in previous years like 2015 and 2014, expenses significantly outstripped revenue, with expenses of $67,057 against $29,813 revenue in 2015 and $99,995 against $36,492 revenue in 2014. This suggests that the foundation has been drawing down its assets in some periods to cover its operational costs. The latest filing shows $0 revenue and $0 assets, which could indicate a period of inactivity or a change in reporting status, requiring further investigation.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent lack of reported officer compensation suggests that a significant portion of any administrative costs are not going towards high executive salaries. The foundation's ability to operate with zero officer compensation is a positive indicator of lean operational overhead in that specific area. The substantial asset base in earlier years (e.g., $257,310 in 2010) compared to recent figures suggests a strategy of asset utilization rather than continuous fundraising from the public.
Transparency, based solely on the provided data, is moderate. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s demonstrates compliance with reporting requirements. However, without access to the full 990 forms, it's challenging to evaluate the level of detail provided regarding program activities, governance, and specific spending categories. The lack of an NTEE code also makes it harder to understand its specific mission and compare its financial performance against similar organizations.