Is Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation Legit?
Quick charity verification for Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation (EIN: 133129027)
Verdict: Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$14.8MRevenue
$42.2MAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent asset growth, from $14.8M in 2014 to over $42M currently.
Zero reported officer compensation across all 13 filings, indicating strong donor focus.
Revenue consistently exceeds expenses in most periods, leading to financial stability.
Healthy financial reserves with current assets of $42,179,528.
Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating strong financial solvency.
Spending Breakdown
How Wine Spectator California Scholarship 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 Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation
Is Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation (EIN: 133129027) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $14.8M. Assets: $42.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation is 133129027. 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 Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation spend its money?
Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 133129027 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 Wine Spectator California Scholarship Foundation demonstrates strong financial health and a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its growing asset base and efficient spending. In the latest reported period (202306), the organization generated $5,387,532 in revenue against $3,638,629 in expenses, resulting in a surplus that contributed to its substantial assets of $34,394,251. Over the past several years, the foundation has consistently maintained a healthy financial position, with assets growing from $14,824,266 in 2014 to over $42 million currently. This growth, coupled with zero reported officer compensation across all filings, suggests a focus on program delivery and responsible stewardship of funds. The organization's spending efficiency appears robust, with expenses generally well below revenue, indicating a sustainable operational model.