Quick charity verification for Whole Foods Market Foundation (EIN: 202376273)
Verdict: Whole Foods Market Foundation appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$18.2MRevenue
$12.0MAssets
1Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses consistently exceeding revenue in recent years (e.g., 2021-2023), potentially drawing down reserves.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating strong commitment to mission spending.
Significant asset base relative to liabilities, providing financial stability (e.g., $4,019,756 assets vs. $104,504 liabilities in 2023).
Long history of IRS 990 filings (10 filings), suggesting transparency and established operations.
Spending Breakdown
How Whole Foods Market Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Whole Foods Market Foundation
Is Whole Foods Market Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Whole Foods Market Foundation (EIN: 202376273) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Whole Foods Market Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Whole Foods Market Foundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $18.2M. Assets: $12.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Whole Foods Market Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Whole Foods Market Foundation is 202376273. 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 Whole Foods Market Foundation spend its money?
Whole Foods Market Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Whole Foods Market Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Whole Foods Market Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 202376273 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 Whole Foods Market Foundation demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its program spending. While specific breakdowns for program, administrative, and fundraising expenses are not provided in the summary data, the organization's financial health appears stable with significant assets relative to liabilities. For instance, in 2023, assets were $4,019,756 against liabilities of $104,504. The foundation has experienced fluctuations in revenue and expenses over the past decade, with recent years (2021-2023) showing expenses exceeding revenue, such as $8,049,507 in expenses against $6,464,302 in revenue in 2023. This trend suggests a potential reliance on accumulated reserves or prior year surpluses to fund operations. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation indicates a strong commitment to directing funds towards charitable activities rather than executive salaries, enhancing its transparency and public trust.