Is Aero Institute Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Aero Institute allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Aero Institute

Is Aero Institute a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Aero Institute (EIN: 161761035) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Aero Institute a good charity to donate to?

Aero Institute has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $2.7M. Assets: $2.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Aero Institute?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Aero Institute is 161761035. 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 Aero Institute spend its money?

Aero Institute allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Aero Institute's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Aero Institute's tax-exempt status using EIN 161761035 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

Aero Institute demonstrates a consistent operational history with revenues fluctuating between $2.6 million and $3.7 million over the past five years. In the latest period (2017), the organization reported revenues of $2,668,230 against expenses of $2,688,449, indicating a slight operational deficit. Despite this, its asset base has shown steady growth, increasing from $2,153,785 in 2013 to $2,595,524 in 2017, suggesting sound financial management of its resources. The organization's liabilities have remained relatively low and stable, ranging from $106,379 to $196,193, which is a positive indicator of financial stability.

The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, providing public access to its financial data. A notable aspect is the reported 0% officer compensation across all five periods, which suggests either a volunteer-led executive team or that compensation is reported under different categories not immediately apparent as 'officer compensation' in the summary data. Further investigation into the detailed 990 forms would be necessary to fully understand the compensation structure and ensure all relevant expenses are appropriately categorized. Overall, Aero Institute appears to be a financially stable organization with a clear history of operations and asset growth.

Verdict: Aero Institute appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths