Quick charity verification for William Randolph Hearst Foundation (EIN: 136019226)
Verdict: William Randolph Hearst Foundation appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$69.1MRevenue
$942.7MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant revenue volatility, including negative revenue in 2022, indicating reliance on potentially unstable investment income.
Strengths
Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for its mission.
Maintains a very strong asset base, growing from $519,511,991 in 2011 to $942,659,590 in the latest period.
Low liabilities relative to assets, demonstrating strong financial stability.
Consistent filing history over a decade, indicating transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How William Randolph Hearst Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 William Randolph Hearst Foundation
Is William Randolph Hearst Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, William Randolph Hearst Foundation (EIN: 136019226) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is William Randolph Hearst Foundation a good charity to donate to?
William Randolph Hearst Foundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $69.1M. Assets: $942.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for William Randolph Hearst Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for William Randolph Hearst Foundation is 136019226. 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 Randolph Hearst Foundation spend its money?
William Randolph Hearst Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify William Randolph Hearst Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify William Randolph Hearst Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 136019226 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 Randolph Hearst Foundation demonstrates strong financial health, consistently maintaining substantial assets, which reached $942,659,590 in its latest filing. The organization's revenue streams have shown variability, including a significant negative revenue of $-22,498,294 in 2022, likely due to investment losses, but generally rebound strongly, such as the $78,532,237 in 2023. This indicates a reliance on investment income, which can fluctuate. The foundation's spending efficiency appears robust, with expenses generally well-managed relative to its program activities, although specific program spending ratios are not explicitly detailed in the provided summary. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests a high degree of transparency regarding executive pay, indicating that compensation for officers is either non-existent or covered by other entities, which is a positive sign for a grant-making foundation.
Over the past decade, the foundation has significantly grown its asset base from $519,511,991 in 2011 to nearly a billion dollars, reflecting effective asset management. The foundation's liabilities have remained relatively low compared to its assets, indicating a strong balance sheet. The absence of officer compensation is a notable characteristic, suggesting that the foundation's operational model may involve external support or a volunteer-driven leadership structure, which can contribute to lower administrative overhead. Overall, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation appears to be a financially sound and well-managed entity, focused on its philanthropic mission.