Quick charity verification for The Train Foundation (EIN: 133391238)
Verdict: The Train Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$490KRevenue
$1.5MAssets
1Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program vs. admin vs. fundraising) in provided data makes efficiency assessment difficult.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong commitment to mission-focused spending.
Significant growth in revenue and assets in the latest filing (202312), demonstrating increased financial capacity.
Low liabilities relative to assets in the latest filing ($26,921 liabilities vs. $1,316,585 assets in 2023), indicating good financial stability.
Spending Breakdown
How The Train 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 Train Foundation
Is The Train Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, The Train Foundation (EIN: 133391238) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is The Train Foundation a good charity to donate to?
The Train Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $490K. Assets: $1.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for The Train Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for The Train Foundation is 133391238. 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 Train Foundation spend its money?
The Train Foundation allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify The Train Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify The Train Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 133391238 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 Train Foundation demonstrates a fluctuating financial history, with a notable surge in revenue and assets in its latest filing period (202312). Revenue jumped from $147,162 in 2022 to $1,211,081 in 2023, while assets grew from $192,473 to $1,316,585 in the same period. This significant increase suggests a major new funding source or successful fundraising efforts. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is a strong indicator of financial transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. However, without detailed expense breakdowns beyond total expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency between programs, administration, and fundraising. The substantial increase in assets relative to expenses in 2023 also warrants further investigation to understand how these new resources are being deployed or reserved for future programs.