Is Thomas Jefferson Institute For The Study Of World Politics Legit?
Quick charity verification for Thomas Jefferson Institute For The Study Of World Politics (EIN: 200399302)
Verdict: Thomas Jefferson Institute For The Study Of World Politics appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$660KRevenue
$1.1MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Recurring operating deficits (e.g., $392,265 in 202312, $449,775 in 202212)
Significant decline in assets from $2,152,436 in 202112 to $1,212,279 in 202312
Volatile revenue streams, making financial forecasting difficult
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating strong transparency in executive pay
Maintains over $1 million in assets, providing some financial cushion despite deficits
Long filing history (13 filings) demonstrates consistent operation and compliance
Spending Breakdown
How Thomas Jefferson Institute For The Study Of World Politics 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 Thomas Jefferson Institute For The Study Of World Politics
Is Thomas Jefferson Institute For The Study Of World Politics a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Thomas Jefferson Institute For The Study Of World Politics (EIN: 200399302) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Thomas Jefferson Institute For The Study Of World Politics a good charity to donate to?
Thomas Jefferson Institute For The Study Of World Politics has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $660K. Assets: $1.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Thomas Jefferson Institute For The Study Of World Politics?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Thomas Jefferson Institute For The Study Of World Politics is 200399302. 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 Jefferson Institute For The Study Of World Politics spend its money?
Thomas Jefferson Institute For The Study Of World Politics allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Thomas Jefferson Institute For The Study Of World Politics's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Thomas Jefferson Institute For The Study Of World Politics's tax-exempt status using EIN 200399302 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 Jefferson Institute For The Study Of World Politics exhibits a fluctuating financial performance over the past several years. In the most recent filing (202312), the organization reported expenses of $757,954 against revenues of $365,689, indicating a significant operating deficit. This trend of expenses exceeding revenue is also observed in 202212 ($929,941 expenses vs. $480,166 revenue) and 201812 ($996,753 expenses vs. $841,324 revenue), suggesting potential reliance on prior year reserves or other funding sources to cover operational costs. While the organization has maintained assets over $1 million, the consistent deficits raise questions about long-term financial sustainability if not addressed.
The organization's transparency appears strong regarding executive compensation, as all filings indicate 0% officer compensation. This suggests that leadership is either unpaid or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency. The NTEE code Q32 (International Affairs) suggests a focus on research and policy, which typically involves significant program costs. Further detail on how the $757,954 in expenses for 202312 was allocated would provide a clearer picture of their operational efficiency and program impact.
Overall, the Institute demonstrates a commitment to its mission through consistent operations, but its financial health shows signs of strain due to recurring operating deficits. The lack of officer compensation is a notable strength in transparency. To improve financial health, the organization may need to focus on increasing revenue streams or optimizing expenditure, especially given the recent decline in assets from $2,152,436 in 202112 to $1,212,279 in 202312.