Quick charity verification for Zion Foundation (EIN: 200396829)
Verdict: Zion Foundation appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$2.0MRevenue
$4.7MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses consistently exceeding revenue in recent years (2020-2023), potentially impacting long-term sustainability.
Significant drop in revenue from a peak of $1,731,595 in 2015 to $630,125 in 2023, while expenses have remained relatively high.
Strengths
Consistent 0% reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds for leadership.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (12 filings), demonstrating transparency and accountability.
Significant growth in assets over the long term, from $1,035,538 in 2012 to $3,947,771 in 2023, indicating financial stability.
Low liabilities relative to assets, suggesting good financial management and minimal debt burden (e.g., $78,645 liabilities vs. $3,947,771 assets in 2023).
Spending Breakdown
How Zion 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 Zion Foundation
Is Zion Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Zion Foundation (EIN: 200396829) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Zion Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Zion Foundation has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $2.0M. Assets: $4.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Zion Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Zion Foundation is 200396829. 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 Zion Foundation spend its money?
Zion Foundation allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Zion Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Zion Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200396829 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
Zion Foundation demonstrates a consistent operational history with 12 filings, indicating a commitment to regular financial reporting. The organization's assets have shown growth over the long term, from $1,035,538 in 2012 to $3,947,771 in 2023, suggesting financial stability. However, recent years (2020-2023) show expenses exceeding revenue, with a deficit of $197,326 in 2023 (expenses of $827,451 against revenue of $630,125). This trend warrants closer examination to ensure long-term sustainability.
The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s. A notable aspect of its financial management is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This indicates that the organization's leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which can be a positive sign for donor confidence regarding administrative overhead. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency beyond this point.
While the foundation's asset growth is positive, the recent trend of operating deficits could impact its ability to sustain programs in the future if not addressed. The lack of reported officer compensation is a strong point for transparency and efficiency, but a more granular view of program versus administrative and fundraising expenses would provide a clearer picture of its overall spending efficiency.