Quick charity verification for William And Martha Erickson Foundation (EIN: 200438855)
Verdict: William And Martha Erickson Foundation appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$1.4MRevenue
$2.7MAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed program spending breakdown in provided data (though typical for private foundations, it limits granular impact assessment)
Unusually low expenses for an organization with over $2 million in assets, which might suggest a very limited scope of direct charitable activities or significant reliance on external partners for program execution.
Strengths
Exceptional financial stability with consistent asset growth (from $110,848 in 2011 to $2,269,955 in 2023).
Extremely low administrative overhead and expenses relative to revenue.
No reported officer compensation, indicating a highly dedicated or volunteer-led governance structure.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history demonstrating transparency.
Minimal liabilities ($1 across all filings) indicating a very healthy balance sheet.
Spending Breakdown
How William And Martha Erickson Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
95%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 William And Martha Erickson Foundation
Is William And Martha Erickson Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, William And Martha Erickson Foundation (EIN: 200438855) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is William And Martha Erickson Foundation a good charity to donate to?
William And Martha Erickson Foundation has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $1.4M. Assets: $2.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for William And Martha Erickson Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for William And Martha Erickson Foundation is 200438855. 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 William And Martha Erickson Foundation spend its money?
William And Martha Erickson Foundation allocates 95% to programs, 5% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify William And Martha Erickson Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify William And Martha Erickson Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200438855 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 William And Martha Erickson Foundation demonstrates strong financial health, consistently growing its assets over the past decade, from $110,848 in 2011 to $2,269,955 in 2023. The organization's revenue has also shown significant growth, with the latest reported revenue at $1,394,328. A notable characteristic is the extremely low reported expenses relative to revenue, suggesting that the foundation primarily functions as a grant-making entity, accumulating assets to fulfill its mission. The consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities across all filings indicates a very stable financial position with minimal debt.
Spending efficiency appears very high, as the foundation's expenses are a small fraction of its revenue and asset base. For example, in 2023, expenses were only $63,901 against $552,377 in revenue. This implies that a substantial portion of its income is retained for future grant distributions or asset growth, rather than being consumed by operational overhead. The absence of reported officer compensation further contributes to a lean operational structure.
Transparency is generally good, with a consistent filing history of 10 IRS 990 forms. The detailed financial figures provided in these filings allow for a clear understanding of the foundation's financial activities. The lack of officer compensation also simplifies the analysis of how funds are allocated, indicating a focus on the foundation's core purpose without significant internal salary expenditures.