Is Accion International Legit?

Red Flags

Significant revenue volatility, particularly the sharp drop in 2020 ($4,901,116) compared to other years, which could indicate reliance on unpredictable funding sources or specific project cycles.
Expenses sometimes exceed revenue, such as in 2022 ($30,828,074 expenses vs. $26,132,981 revenue) and 2020 ($28,112,804 expenses vs. $4,901,116 revenue), which, if sustained, could draw down assets.

Strengths

Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating exceptional transparency and dedication to mission spending.
Maintains substantial assets, consistently in the hundreds of millions (e.g., $372,785,749 in 2023), providing a strong financial buffer and stability.
Long and consistent history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), demonstrating a commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance.
Strong asset base relative to liabilities (e.g., $372,785,749 assets vs. $6,776,883 liabilities in 2023), indicating low financial risk.

Spending Breakdown

How Accion International allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

10%

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 Accion International

Is Accion International a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Accion International (EIN: 132535763) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Accion International a good charity to donate to?

Accion International has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $40.0M. Assets: $310.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Accion International?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Accion International is 132535763. 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 Accion International spend its money?

Accion International allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Accion International's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Accion International's tax-exempt status using EIN 132535763 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

Accion International demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with assets consistently in the hundreds of millions, peaking at $470,473,891 in 2021. Revenue has fluctuated significantly over the past decade, from a high of $75,281,212 in 2014 to a low of $4,901,116 in 2020, indicating reliance on varied funding streams or project-based income. Despite these fluctuations, the organization has maintained substantial assets, suggesting effective asset management or significant endowments.

The organization's spending efficiency appears reasonable, with expenses generally aligning with or slightly exceeding revenue in some years, such as 2022 ($30,828,074 expenses vs. $26,132,981 revenue) and 2020 ($28,112,804 expenses vs. $4,901,116 revenue). 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. This practice significantly enhances public trust and suggests a volunteer-driven or externally compensated leadership structure.

Overall, Accion International exhibits a healthy financial foundation with strong asset backing. The consistent transparency regarding executive compensation is a notable strength. While revenue volatility exists, the organization's ability to manage expenses and maintain substantial assets points to a resilient financial strategy. Further details on program spending breakdown would provide a more complete picture of spending efficiency.

Verdict: Accion International appears trustworthy