Quick charity verification for Zet Foundation (EIN: 205819853)
Verdict: Zet Foundation shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$9KRevenue
$204KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Highly volatile and often negative revenue, indicating unstable funding.
Small scale of operations relative to asset base, raising questions about impact efficiency.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown prevents thorough analysis of program vs. administrative spending.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating no executive salaries.
Low liabilities ($0 or $1) across all filings, suggesting good debt management.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating transparency in reporting.
Spending Breakdown
How Zet Foundation 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 Zet Foundation
Is Zet Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Zet Foundation (EIN: 205819853) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Zet Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Zet Foundation has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $9K. Assets: $204K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Zet Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Zet Foundation is 205819853. 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 Zet Foundation spend its money?
Zet Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Zet Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Zet Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205819853 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 Zet Foundation exhibits a highly variable financial history, with significant fluctuations in revenue and expenses over the past decade. While the latest reported revenue is $8,947 and assets are $204,289, the organization has experienced several years of negative revenue, indicating reliance on asset drawdowns or inconsistent funding. For instance, in 2021, 2020, 2019, 2015, 2014, and 2012, the foundation reported negative revenue figures. This volatility makes it challenging to assess long-term financial stability based solely on recent filings.
The foundation consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence regarding executive pay. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses beyond total expenses, it's difficult to ascertain spending efficiency across programs, administration, and fundraising. The NTEE code T20 (Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking Foundations) suggests its primary activity is grantmaking, but the small revenue and expense figures in many years raise questions about the scale of its philanthropic impact.
Transparency is generally good in terms of filing history, with 10 filings available. However, the lack of detailed expense categories in the provided data limits a thorough analysis of how funds are allocated. The consistent reporting of minimal liabilities ($0 or $1) suggests a healthy balance sheet in terms of debt, but the overall financial health is impacted by the revenue instability.