How Wheeler Family Foundation 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 Wheeler Family Foundation
Is Wheeler Family Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Wheeler Family Foundation (EIN: 204322621) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Wheeler Family Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Wheeler Family Foundation has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $26K. Assets: $7K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Wheeler Family Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Wheeler Family Foundation is 204322621. 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 Wheeler Family Foundation spend its money?
Wheeler Family Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Wheeler Family Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Wheeler Family Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 204322621 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 Wheeler Family Foundation demonstrates a consistent commitment to transparency, as evidenced by its regular IRS 990 filings over the past decade. The organization's financial health, however, shows significant volatility in revenue and expenses. For instance, in 2019, expenses ($306,604) far exceeded revenue ($148,631), indicating a substantial deficit. More recently, in 2023, the foundation operated near break-even with $80,000 in revenue and $79,920 in expenses. The asset base has also fluctuated considerably, from a high of $157,433 in 2014 to a low of $5,207 in 2021, currently standing at $8,482 in 2023. This variability suggests an unpredictable funding model or significant changes in operational scale over time.
The 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 zero officer compensation across all filings is a positive indicator regarding executive spending. The organization's NTEE code T22 (Private Grantmaking Foundations) suggests its primary activity is making grants, which typically implies a lean operational structure. The low liability figures (consistently $0 or $1) across all reported periods indicate sound financial management regarding debt.
Overall, while the foundation is transparent in its filings and maintains minimal liabilities, its financial stability appears to be a concern due to the wide swings in revenue, expenses, and assets. A more detailed look at how expenses are categorized would be necessary to fully evaluate spending efficiency and program impact. The consistent zero officer compensation is a strong point for donor confidence.