Quick charity verification for The Thorne Foundation (EIN: 136109955)
Verdict: The Thorne Foundation has notable concerns
30/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
4Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent asset depletion: Assets declined from $752,231 in 2011 to $680,779 in 2015.
Expenses consistently exceed revenue: For example, in 2015, expenses were $49,966 while revenue was only $17,656.
Latest reported revenue is $0, indicating a potential cessation of income generation or a reporting anomaly.
NTEE code is unknown, making it difficult to understand its charitable purpose and compare efficiency.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds regarding executive pay.
Minimal liabilities ($0 or $1) consistently reported, suggesting good debt management.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating transparency in financial reporting.
Spending Breakdown
How The Thorne Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
0%
Program Spending
Concerning — less than half to programs
100%
Admin Costs
High — over 25% on administration
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 Thorne Foundation
Is The Thorne Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Thorne Foundation (EIN: 136109955) has notable concerns. Mission Score: 30/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is The Thorne Foundation a good charity to donate to?
The Thorne Foundation has a Mission Score of 30/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Thorne Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Thorne Foundation is 136109955. 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 Thorne Foundation spend its money?
The Thorne Foundation allocates 0% to programs, 100% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Thorne Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Thorne Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 136109955 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 Thorne Foundation appears to be a private foundation or a similar entity that primarily holds assets rather than conducting active programs or fundraising, given its NTEE code is unknown and its latest reported revenue is $0. Over the five-year period from 2011 to 2015, the organization consistently reported minimal revenue, ranging from $16,166 to $54,714, while incurring expenses that often exceeded revenue, leading to a gradual decline in assets from $752,231 in 2011 to $680,779 in 2015. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all filings suggests either an all-volunteer board or that compensation is handled through other means not captured in this specific metric, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence regarding executive pay. However, without detailed expense breakdowns, it's challenging to assess spending efficiency beyond the top-line figures.
The organization's financial health, based on the provided data, shows a pattern of asset depletion. With zero revenue reported in the latest period and a history of expenses exceeding revenue, the long-term sustainability of the foundation's asset base is a concern if this trend continues. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities ($0 or $1) indicates good financial management in terms of debt. Transparency is generally good given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, but the lack of detailed program spending information makes a full assessment of its impact difficult. The primary function seems to be asset management, with expenses likely related to administrative overhead or investment management rather than direct program delivery.