Is Vollmer Foundation Inc Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Vollmer 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

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 Vollmer Foundation Inc

Is Vollmer Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Vollmer Foundation Inc (EIN: 132620718) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Vollmer Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?

Vollmer Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $5.1M. Assets: $13.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Vollmer Foundation Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Vollmer Foundation Inc is 132620718. 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 Vollmer Foundation Inc spend its money?

Vollmer Foundation Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

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

You can verify Vollmer Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 132620718 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 Vollmer Foundation Inc. exhibits inconsistent financial performance, with significant fluctuations in revenue and expenses over the past decade. For instance, the organization reported a substantial revenue of $32,527,378 in 2014 but also incurred very high expenses of $75,693,722 in the same year, leading to a significant deficit. More recently, the foundation experienced negative revenue in 2022 ($-2,487,575) and 2021 ($-548,403), which could indicate investment losses or significant asset revaluations rather than operational deficits. Despite these fluctuations, the organization consistently maintains a healthy asset base, with assets generally ranging between $11 million and $18 million, suggesting long-term financial stability. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a high degree of transparency regarding executive pay, as it suggests either a volunteer-led board or compensation is covered by another entity, which is a positive sign for donors.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which is not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a strong indicator of efficient use of funds at the executive level. The foundation's ability to maintain significant assets despite periods of negative revenue and high expenses suggests a strategic approach to managing its endowment or investment portfolio. The latest available data for 2023 shows revenue of $1,305,047 against expenses of $1,018,191, indicating a positive operational margin for that period.

Overall, the Vollmer Foundation Inc. appears to be a transparent organization, particularly concerning executive compensation. While its financial performance shows volatility, its substantial asset base provides a buffer. Donors might benefit from a deeper dive into the nature of the negative revenues and the specific allocation of expenses to fully understand its operational efficiency and program impact.

Verdict: Vollmer Foundation Inc appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths