Quick charity verification for Wessel Foundation (EIN: 136277807)
Verdict: Wessel Foundation appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$47KRevenue
$120KAssets
3Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses frequently exceed revenue, potentially drawing down assets (e.g., 2022: $26,872 expenses vs. $22,858 revenue).
Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data makes efficiency analysis difficult.
NTEE code is unknown, hindering understanding of its charitable sector and mission.
Strengths
Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating very low executive overhead.
Extremely low liabilities ($0 or $1 across all filings), demonstrating strong financial solvency.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, indicating compliance and basic transparency.
Assets have remained relatively stable over a decade, suggesting a solid capital base for its size.
Spending Breakdown
How Wessel Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
25%
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 Wessel Foundation
Is Wessel Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Wessel Foundation (EIN: 136277807) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Wessel Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Wessel Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $47K. Assets: $120K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Wessel Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Wessel Foundation is 136277807. 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 Wessel Foundation spend its money?
Wessel Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 25% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Wessel Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Wessel Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 136277807 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 Wessel Foundation appears to be a small grant-making organization with relatively stable, albeit modest, financial activity. Over the past five years, its revenue has fluctuated, with a high of $32,186 in 2021 and a low of $7,669 in 2019. Expenses have generally been in the $16,000-$27,000 range, often exceeding revenue, which has led to a gradual decline in assets from $138,340 in 2015 to $119,670 in 2022. This trend suggests the foundation is spending down its principal or relying on investment returns not fully captured in the 'revenue' figures provided, or simply operating at a deficit in some years.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates a commitment to minimizing overhead in that specific area. The organization's assets have remained relatively stable, hovering around $120,000-$140,000, suggesting a consistent, albeit small, endowment or capital base. The liabilities are consistently reported as $0 or $1, indicating a very healthy balance sheet with minimal debt.
Transparency regarding executive compensation is excellent, with 0% reported. However, without a detailed functional expense statement, it's challenging to determine the exact proportion of spending dedicated to programs versus administrative or fundraising costs. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance and basic financial transparency.