Quick charity verification for Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund Inc (EIN: 161575921)
Verdict: Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$8.0MRevenue
$12.4MAssets
1Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Frequent periods of expenses exceeding revenue, such as $3.4M expenses vs $2.0M revenue in 2023, which, while common for DAFs, warrants scrutiny of distribution policies.
Strengths
Consistent zero officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency in executive overhead.
Substantial and stable asset base, consistently above $12 million, providing a strong foundation for grantmaking.
Focus on facilitating charitable giving through a donor-advised fund model.
Spending Breakdown
How Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund Inc
Is Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund Inc (EIN: 161575921) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund Inc a good charity to donate to?
Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $8.0M. Assets: $12.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund Inc is 161575921. 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 Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund Inc spend its money?
Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund Inc allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 161575921 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
Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund Inc operates as a donor-advised fund, which is reflected in its financial patterns. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation across all available filings, indicating a volunteer-led or externally managed executive structure, which is a positive sign for minimizing administrative overhead. However, the organization has frequently reported expenses exceeding revenue in recent years, such as in 2023 where expenses were $3,410,212 against revenues of $2,083,328, and in 2022 with $3,665,583 in expenses versus $1,525,180 in revenue. While this can be typical for donor-advised funds distributing grants, it warrants closer examination of their distribution policies relative to contributions. The significant asset base, consistently above $12 million, suggests a stable foundation for future grantmaking, despite the operational deficits in some periods.