The Trueness Scale¶
Trueness is scored from 0 to 100. The score is not a virtue label. It is a structured judgment about how closely a non-profit's behavior matches its public-benefit promise.
Score Bands¶
| Score | Label | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 90-100 | True steward | Mission is clear, governance is accountable, money flows toward impact, and evidence supports public-benefit claims. |
| 75-89 | Mission-led operator | Strong non-profit behavior with some gaps, tradeoffs, or incomplete public evidence. |
| 60-74 | Mixed but defensible | Real mission activity exists, but accountability, transparency, outcomes, or resource allocation need scrutiny. |
| 40-59 | Institution-first | The organization may do useful work, but self-preservation, brand, bureaucracy, or insider priorities appear too strong. |
| 20-39 | Mission-washed | Non-profit language is present, but evidence suggests weak mission control or significant private-benefit risk. |
| 0-19 | Extractive shell | The non-profit form appears mainly to confer legitimacy, tax advantage, fundraising access, or reputational cover. |
Scoring Dimensions¶
| Dimension | Points | Question |
|---|---|---|
| Public benefit clarity | 15 | Is the mission specific, public-serving, and strong enough to guide real tradeoffs? |
| Non-distribution and private benefit control | 15 | Are insiders, vendors, executives, donors, and partners prevented from capturing mission resources? |
| Governance independence | 15 | Can the board or equivalent governing body supervise leadership without capture or conflicts? |
| Financial transparency | 15 | Can a reasonable outsider understand revenue, expenses, reserves, compensation posture, and major obligations? |
| Resource allocation to mission | 15 | Do money, staff time, assets, attention, and opportunity costs mostly flow to mission delivery? |
| Evidence of outcomes | 10 | Does the organization show credible evidence that its activities create intended public benefit? |
| Access and fairness | 10 | Are beneficiaries treated as people with standing, not as props for fundraising or reputation? |
| Accountability and correction | 5 | Can the organization notice harm, admit error, correct course, and explain what changed? |
Score Is Not Everything¶
Scores compress judgment. Every assessment must include a written explanation, evidence links, uncertainty notes, and reviewer status. A score without evidence is not an assessment.