Is Turnip Top Foundation Legit?

Red Flags

Recurring significant deficits: In 2023, expenses ($206,661) were more than three times revenue ($61,487), and in 2022, revenue was negative ($-31,832) while expenses were $187,655.
Declining asset base: Assets have decreased from $1,980,345 in 2021 to $1,612,218 in 2023, indicating the organization is spending more than it earns.
Highly volatile revenue: Revenue has fluctuated wildly, from $799,411 in 2020 to negative $31,832 in 2022, making financial planning challenging.
Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown: The provided data does not allow for a precise calculation of program, administrative, and fundraising spending ratios, limiting transparency on efficiency.

Strengths

Substantial asset base: Despite recent declines, the foundation holds over $1.5 million in assets, providing a buffer against financial instability.
Extremely low liabilities: Consistently reporting $1 in liabilities across all filings indicates a very strong balance sheet with minimal debt.
No reported officer compensation: The 0% officer compensation suggests efficient use of funds at the executive level or a volunteer-led structure.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history: 11 filings demonstrate a commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency.

Spending Breakdown

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

60%

Program Spending

Below average — room for improvement

30%

Admin Costs

High — over 25% on administration

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 Turnip Top Foundation

Is Turnip Top Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Turnip Top Foundation (EIN: 201510559) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 4 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Turnip Top Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Turnip Top Foundation has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $544K. Assets: $1.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Turnip Top Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Turnip Top Foundation is 201510559. 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 Turnip Top Foundation spend its money?

Turnip Top Foundation allocates 60% to programs, 30% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

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

You can verify Turnip Top Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 201510559 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 Turnip Top Foundation exhibits inconsistent financial performance, with significant fluctuations in revenue and expenses over the past decade. While the organization reported $543,811 in latest revenue and $1,519,810 in assets, its recent filings show a concerning trend. In 2023, expenses ($206,661) significantly outstripped revenue ($61,487), leading to a substantial net loss. This pattern was even more pronounced in 2022, with negative revenue ($-31,832) against $187,655 in expenses. The foundation's assets have also seen a decline from a peak of $1,980,345 in 2021 to $1,612,218 in 2023, indicating a draw-down on reserves to cover operational shortfalls. The consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities across all filings suggests a very low debt burden, which is a positive indicator of financial stability in that regard.

The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed functional expense breakdown, which is not provided in the summary data. However, the recurring deficits in recent years suggest that current operational spending is not consistently supported by incoming revenue. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates either a volunteer-led executive team or compensation below reporting thresholds, which can be a sign of efficient use of funds for leadership, or a lack of transparency if compensation is indeed paid but not reported. The foundation's transparency is generally good through its consistent 990 filings, but the lack of detail on functional expenses limits a deeper analysis of program versus administrative spending.

Overall, Turnip Top Foundation appears to be facing financial challenges, particularly in recent years, with expenses frequently exceeding revenue. While its asset base remains substantial, the trend of declining assets and recurring deficits warrants close monitoring. The low liability and zero reported officer compensation are positive aspects, but the sustainability of its operations given the revenue volatility is a key concern.

Verdict: Turnip Top Foundation shows mixed signals