Is Topper Foundation Legit?

Spending Breakdown

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

70%

Program Spending

Below average — room for improvement

20%

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 Topper Foundation

Is Topper Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Topper Foundation (EIN: 200523820) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Topper Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Topper Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $3.9M. Assets: $19.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Topper Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Topper Foundation is 200523820. 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 Topper Foundation spend its money?

Topper Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

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

You can verify Topper Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200523820 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 Topper Foundation demonstrates a generally healthy financial position, with assets growing significantly over the past decade, from $153,815 in 2011 to $19,528,939 currently. Revenue has fluctuated, with notable negative revenue reported in 2019 and 2020, which warrants further investigation into the nature of these entries. Despite these fluctuations, the organization has consistently maintained minimal liabilities, often reported as just $1, indicating strong financial management and low debt risk. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests either a volunteer-led executive team or compensation being reported under different categories, which could impact transparency regarding leadership costs.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data. However, the organization's expenses have generally been well below its revenue in most recent years, allowing for asset growth. For instance, in 2022, revenue was $3,436,213 against expenses of $1,459,421. The consistent reporting of $0 for officer compensation across all filings, while potentially positive for overhead, also raises questions about the completeness of compensation disclosures, which is a key aspect of transparency. Further detail on how expenses are categorized would provide a clearer picture of spending efficiency and program focus.

Verdict: Topper Foundation appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths