Is Thomas D And Denise R Stern Family Foundation Legit?
Quick charity verification for Thomas D And Denise R Stern Family Foundation (EIN: 134195656)
Verdict: Thomas D And Denise R Stern Family Foundation appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$8.7MRevenue
$10.8MAssets
0Red Flags
4Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Zero reported officer compensation, indicating high efficiency.
Consistent grantmaking, with expenses often exceeding annual revenue, demonstrating active deployment of assets.
Minimal liabilities reported across all filings, suggesting strong financial health.
Substantial asset base ($10,765,376) provides long-term stability for its mission.
Spending Breakdown
How Thomas D And Denise R Stern Family Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
95%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
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 Thomas D And Denise R Stern Family Foundation
Is Thomas D And Denise R Stern Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Thomas D And Denise R Stern Family Foundation (EIN: 134195656) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 0 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Thomas D And Denise R Stern Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Thomas D And Denise R Stern Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $8.7M. Assets: $10.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Thomas D And Denise R Stern Family Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Thomas D And Denise R Stern Family Foundation is 134195656. 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 Thomas D And Denise R Stern Family Foundation spend its money?
Thomas D And Denise R Stern Family Foundation allocates 95% to programs, 5% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Thomas D And Denise R Stern Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Thomas D And Denise R Stern Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 134195656 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 Thomas D And Denise R Stern Family Foundation demonstrates a consistent commitment to its philanthropic mission, primarily through grantmaking, as evidenced by its NTEE code T21 (Private Grantmaking Foundations). Over the past five years, the foundation has consistently disbursed more in expenses than it has received in revenue, indicating active grantmaking from its asset base. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $1,669,637 against revenue of $650,780. This trend suggests a strategy of deploying its endowment to support its charitable objectives, rather than solely relying on annual contributions. The foundation's assets have fluctuated, peaking around $13-14 million in 2015-2019 and settling around $9-11 million in recent years, which is typical for a private foundation managing an investment portfolio. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all filings is a strong indicator of efficient use of funds, as it implies that administrative costs related to executive salaries are either non-existent or covered by other means, allowing more resources to be directed towards program services. The minimal liabilities reported ($1 in recent years, $0 previously) also points to sound financial management and low financial risk.