Quick charity verification for Zhiyuan Yining Foundation (EIN: 208318238)
Verdict: Zhiyuan Yining Foundation appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$8.4MRevenue
$7.4MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Unusually low expenses relative to revenue, which might warrant further investigation into the nature of their programs and how they are funded/executed if not through direct expenses.
Strengths
Extremely low expense ratio relative to revenue, indicating high efficiency.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, suggesting strong commitment to mission over executive pay.
Significant growth in revenue and assets in recent years, demonstrating increasing financial capacity.
Low liabilities across all reported periods, indicating sound financial management and minimal debt.
Spending Breakdown
How Zhiyuan Yining 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 Zhiyuan Yining Foundation
Is Zhiyuan Yining Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Zhiyuan Yining Foundation (EIN: 208318238) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Zhiyuan Yining Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Zhiyuan Yining Foundation has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $8.4M. Assets: $7.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Zhiyuan Yining Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Zhiyuan Yining Foundation is 208318238. 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 Zhiyuan Yining Foundation spend its money?
Zhiyuan Yining Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Zhiyuan Yining Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Zhiyuan Yining Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 208318238 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 Zhiyuan Yining Foundation demonstrates a highly efficient financial profile, particularly in its recent filings. In 2023, the organization reported $1,109,261 in revenue against only $94,751 in expenses, indicating a significant surplus and strong financial management. This trend of low expenses relative to revenue is consistent across multiple years, with 2022 showing $617,548 in revenue and $60,142 in expenses. The foundation's assets have also grown substantially, from $397,103 in 2011 to $1,815,742 in 2023, suggesting effective asset accumulation and stewardship. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a strong indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards the mission rather than executive salaries.