Is Tsunami Foundation Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Tsunami Foundation 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 Tsunami Foundation

Is Tsunami Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Tsunami Foundation (EIN: 137019761) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 4 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Tsunami Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Tsunami Foundation has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $4.7M. Assets: $26.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Tsunami Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Tsunami Foundation is 137019761. 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 Tsunami Foundation spend its money?

Tsunami Foundation allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

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

You can verify Tsunami Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 137019761 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 Tsunami Foundation exhibits a highly unusual financial pattern, with significant fluctuations in annual revenue, ranging from a low of $649,220 in 2022 to a high of $9,060,067 in 2014. Despite these revenue swings, annual expenses have remained remarkably consistent, typically hovering around $1.9 million to $2.2 million in recent years. This consistency in expenses, coupled with volatile revenue, has led to periods of significant operating deficits, such as in 2023 where expenses ($1,934,211) exceeded revenue ($1,541,861), and surpluses, like in 2021 where revenue ($3,754,752) significantly outpaced expenses ($2,249,966).

The organization maintains substantial assets, consistently above $25 million in recent years, while reporting negligible liabilities ($1). This suggests a strong balance sheet, but the lack of detailed expense breakdowns (program, administrative, fundraising) in the provided data makes it impossible to assess spending efficiency or program focus. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all filings is a notable transparency point, indicating either a fully volunteer-led executive team or compensation being reported under other categories, which would require further investigation. Without NTEE code or program details, evaluating mission alignment is challenging.

Overall, the Tsunami Foundation appears financially stable due to its large asset base, but its operational funding relies on highly variable revenue streams. The absence of detailed expense categorization in the provided data is a significant limitation for a comprehensive financial health assessment. The consistent 'Officer Comp=0%' is a positive indicator of executive compensation transparency, assuming it accurately reflects all executive remuneration.

Verdict: Tsunami Foundation shows mixed signals

Red Flags

Strengths