Quick charity verification for William J Butler Foundation Inc (EIN: 136199607)
Verdict: William J Butler Foundation Inc has notable concerns
20/100Mission Score
$1.5MRevenue
$4.8MAssets
5Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Extremely low expenses relative to assets and, in 2023, revenue, indicating minimal operational activity or undisclosed financial flows.
Sudden, massive increase in revenue ($4.5M in 2023) with no corresponding increase in reported expenses ($250), raising questions about fund utilization.
Lack of clear program spending, as total expenses are too low to categorize meaningfully.
Consistent reporting of $1 revenue for multiple years, which is unusual for an active nonprofit.
NTEE code is unknown, making it difficult to benchmark against similar organizations.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation reported, indicating a volunteer-led structure.
Low liabilities ($1 in recent years), suggesting financial stability in terms of debt.
Spending Breakdown
How William J Butler Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
0%
Program Spending
Concerning — less than half to programs
100%
Admin Costs
High — over 25% on administration
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 J Butler Foundation Inc
Is William J Butler Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, William J Butler Foundation Inc (EIN: 136199607) has notable concerns. Mission Score: 20/100. 5 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is William J Butler Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
William J Butler Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 20/100. Revenue: $1.5M. Assets: $4.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for William J Butler Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for William J Butler Foundation Inc is 136199607. 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 J Butler Foundation Inc spend its money?
William J Butler Foundation Inc allocates 0% to programs, 100% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify William J Butler Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify William J Butler Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 136199607 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 J Butler Foundation Inc. exhibits an unusual financial profile based on its IRS 990 filings. For most of its reported history, the organization has declared minimal revenue (often $1) and very low expenses, suggesting it may operate as a private foundation with limited public-facing activity or primarily as a holding entity. However, the 202312 filing shows a significant spike in revenue to $4,574,558, with reported expenses of only $250. This discrepancy between substantial revenue and negligible expenses raises questions about the nature of its financial activities and how these funds are being utilized or held. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation across all filings indicates a volunteer-led or uncompensated leadership structure, which can be a positive for efficiency but also warrants scrutiny given the recent large revenue influx.
The foundation's assets have grown substantially, from $1,037 in 2011 to $4,581,365 in 2023, largely driven by the recent revenue. The extremely low reported expenses, particularly in 2023, make it difficult to assess spending efficiency in terms of program delivery, as there's no clear breakdown of program vs. administrative costs when total expenses are only $250. The lack of detailed expense reporting beyond minimal amounts for most years, and the sudden large revenue with almost no corresponding expenses in the latest filing, suggests a need for greater transparency regarding its operational model and how its significant assets are being deployed towards its mission, if any is actively pursued.