Quick charity verification for University At Buffalo Foundation Inc (EIN: 160865182)
Verdict: University At Buffalo Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$343.1MRevenue
$1.4BAssets
0Red Flags
4Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Strong and consistent asset growth, nearly doubling from $896M in 2016 to $1.43B in 2023.
No reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating high transparency and resource allocation to mission.
Consistent expense management, typically between $60M and $77M annually, despite revenue volatility.
Substantial asset base provides long-term financial stability for its mission.
Spending Breakdown
How University At Buffalo Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
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 University At Buffalo Foundation Inc
Is University At Buffalo Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, University At Buffalo Foundation Inc (EIN: 160865182) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 0 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is University At Buffalo Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
University At Buffalo Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $343.1M. Assets: $1.4B. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for University At Buffalo Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for University At Buffalo Foundation Inc is 160865182. 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 University At Buffalo Foundation Inc spend its money?
University At Buffalo Foundation Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify University At Buffalo Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify University At Buffalo Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 160865182 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 University At Buffalo Foundation Inc. demonstrates a generally stable financial position with substantial assets, reaching $1.43 billion in the latest period. While revenue has fluctuated significantly year-over-year, from a high of $112.6 million in 2021 to $46.6 million in 2022 and then $82.7 million in 2023, the organization consistently manages its expenses, which have remained within a relatively consistent range, typically between $60 million and $77 million over the past five years. This indicates a controlled spending environment despite revenue volatility.
The foundation's financial health is bolstered by its strong asset base, which has shown consistent growth over the past decade, nearly doubling from $896 million in 2016 to $1.43 billion in 2023. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a high degree of financial transparency and a commitment to directing resources towards its mission rather than executive salaries. This practice is a significant positive indicator of spending efficiency and ethical financial management.
However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses from the provided data, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The consistent growth in assets and the lack of executive compensation are strong positive signals, but further detail on expense allocation would provide a more complete picture of how effectively funds are being utilized for programmatic purposes.