Is The Tom L Ward Family Foundation Legit?…

Quick charity verification for The Tom L Ward Family Foundation (EIN: 203160317)

Spending Breakdown

How The Tom L Ward Family Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Tom L Ward Family Foundation

Is The Tom L Ward Family Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Tom L Ward Family Foundation (EIN: 203160317) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is The Tom L Ward Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?

The Tom L Ward Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $4.3M. Assets: $3.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for The Tom L Ward Family Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Tom L Ward Family Foundation is 203160317. 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 Tom L Ward Family Foundation spend its money?

The Tom L Ward Family Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify The Tom L Ward Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify The Tom L Ward Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 203160317 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 Tom L Ward Family Foundation demonstrates a consistent commitment to its programmatic mission, as evidenced by its financial filings. In the 202312 period, the foundation reported revenues of $2,020,000 against expenses of $1,386,755, indicating a healthy surplus that can be reinvested or held for future grantmaking. The organization's assets have fluctuated significantly over the years, from a low of $6,123 in 202212 to $639,368 in 202312, and a peak of $3,215,795 in its latest reported assets, suggesting varying levels of endowment or capital accumulation. The foundation consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of efficient use of funds and a focus on direct charitable activities rather than administrative overhead related to executive salaries. This practice enhances its financial health and transparency, as more resources are available for its stated purpose.

The foundation's spending efficiency appears high, given the absence of executive compensation. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the overall expense figures relative to revenue suggest that the majority of funds are likely directed towards its charitable objectives. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities across multiple periods (often $1 or $0) further underscores a sound financial management approach, avoiding significant debt. The foundation's financial health, characterized by positive net assets and a history of managing expenses within or close to revenue, positions it as a stable entity for philanthropic endeavors. The lack of detailed expense categorization in the provided data limits a deeper analysis of spending efficiency beyond the executive compensation aspect, but the overall trend is positive.

Is The Tom L Ward Family Foundation Legit?

Verdict: The Tom L Ward Family Foundation appears trustworthy

Strengths