Is Winston Foundation Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for Winston Foundation Inc (EIN: 136161672)

Verdict: Winston Foundation Inc appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score
$11.5MRevenue
$84.5MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths

Red Flags

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How Winston Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Winston Foundation Inc

Is Winston Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Winston Foundation Inc (EIN: 136161672) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Winston Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?

Winston Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $11.5M. Assets: $84.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Winston Foundation Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Winston Foundation Inc is 136161672. 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 Winston Foundation Inc spend its money?

Winston Foundation Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Winston Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Winston Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 136161672 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 Winston Foundation Inc. demonstrates a consistent pattern of spending exceeding its revenue in several recent fiscal periods, notably in 2023 where expenses were $5,718,686 against revenue of $3,254,167, and in 2020 with expenses of $4,586,104 against revenue of $2,985,772. Despite these operational deficits, the organization maintains a substantial asset base, with assets consistently above $76 million in recent years, reaching $87,129,879 in 2023. This suggests a reliance on endowment or investment income to cover operational gaps, rather than solely on annual contributions. The absence of reported officer compensation across all available filings indicates a high degree of financial transparency regarding executive pay, or that executive functions are performed by unpaid volunteers or through other arrangements not captured as direct compensation. The organization's financial health appears stable due to its significant assets, which can absorb periods of negative operating margins. However, the recurring trend of expenses outpacing revenue in multiple years (e.g., 2023, 2020, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011) warrants closer examination of its long-term sustainability model if this trend continues without corresponding asset growth from investment returns. The liabilities have generally remained low relative to assets, indicating good financial management in terms of debt. The lack of detailed program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns in the provided data limits a precise assessment of spending efficiency, but the zero officer compensation is a positive indicator of cost control at the top. Overall, the Winston Foundation Inc. appears to be a well-endowed organization with a strong asset base. Its transparency regarding executive compensation is excellent, with no reported officer compensation. The primary area for further inquiry would be the consistent operational deficits in several years and how these are managed to ensure long-term programmatic impact, given the reliance on existing assets.

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Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.

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