Is Thornton Foundation Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Thornton Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

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 Thornton Foundation

Is Thornton Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Thornton Foundation (EIN: 201660366) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Thornton Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Thornton Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $9.1M. Assets: $1. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Thornton Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Thornton Foundation is 201660366. 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 Thornton Foundation spend its money?

Thornton Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Thornton Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Thornton Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 201660366 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 Thornton Foundation demonstrates a strong financial position with consistent revenue generation and substantial assets. In its latest reported period (201912), the foundation generated $6,316,125 in revenue against $3,320,299 in expenses, indicating a healthy surplus. Over its filing history, revenue has fluctuated, peaking at $13,489,218 in 201312, but generally remains robust. The foundation's assets have grown significantly over time, from $22,106,811 in 201112 to $48,932,245 in 201912, suggesting effective asset management and investment strategies. The reported liabilities have consistently been minimal ($0 or $1), indicating a very low debt burden and strong financial stability.

Regarding spending efficiency, the foundation consistently spends significantly less than its revenue, allowing for asset growth and future program funding. For instance, in 201912, expenses were approximately 52.6% of revenue. A key indicator of efficiency is the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which suggests that executive leadership is either unpaid or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, potentially reducing administrative overhead. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency across these categories is challenging.

Transparency appears to be good given the availability of multiple IRS 990 filings. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities and zero officer compensation contributes positively to the perception of financial prudence. However, the provided data lacks specific breakdowns of program service expenses versus administrative and fundraising costs, which would offer deeper insights into how effectively funds are being directed towards its mission. The NTEE code T22 (Private Grantmaking Foundations) suggests its primary activity is grantmaking, which inherently focuses on program support through external organizations.

Verdict: Thornton Foundation appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths