Is Waker Foundation Legit?

Red Flags

Extremely low asset base ($1) consistently reported, indicating no financial reserves or significant operational infrastructure.
Periods of $0 revenue and expenses, suggesting inconsistent activity or dormancy.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown on the provided data, making it impossible to verify program spending efficiency beyond the assumption that all expenses are programmatic given 0% officer comp.

Spending Breakdown

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

100%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

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 Waker Foundation

Is Waker Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Waker Foundation (EIN: 113830237) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Waker Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Waker Foundation has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $22K. Assets: $1. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Waker Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Waker Foundation is 113830237. 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 Waker Foundation spend its money?

Waker Foundation allocates 100% to programs, 0% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

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

You can verify Waker Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 113830237 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 Waker Foundation consistently reports minimal assets, typically $1, and zero liabilities across its filing history, indicating a very lean operational structure. For several years, including 2016, 2015, 2012, and 2011, the organization reported $0 in both revenue and expenses, suggesting periods of dormancy or minimal activity. In active years, such as 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017, the foundation reported expenses exactly matching revenue, for example, $21,936 in both for 2020. This pattern suggests a pass-through model where funds are expended as they are received, leaving no net income or significant reserves.

The organization's financial health appears stable in the sense that it avoids debt, but its extremely low asset base and fluctuating revenue streams indicate a lack of financial resilience or capacity for long-term strategic investments. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is a strong indicator of volunteer-led operations, which can be efficient but also limits scalability. Without detailed expense breakdowns, it's challenging to assess spending efficiency beyond the fact that all revenue is expended.

Verdict: Waker Foundation appears trustworthy