Quick charity verification for Alfred University (EIN: 160743900)
Verdict: Alfred University appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$155.8MRevenue
$451.9MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size and suggests a lack of transparency in this specific data point.
Recent fiscal period (202306) shows expenses ($112,363,461) exceeding revenue ($106,018,398), indicating a deficit.
Strengths
Consistent revenue generation, generally exceeding $100 million annually.
Significant growth in assets over the past decade, from $260,610,391 in 201406 to $368,832,192 in 202306.
Liabilities are well-managed and represent a relatively small portion of total assets.
History of stable operations with revenues generally covering expenses across most reporting periods.
Spending Breakdown
How Alfred University allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Alfred University
Is Alfred University a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Alfred University (EIN: 160743900) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Alfred University a good charity to donate to?
Alfred University has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $155.8M. Assets: $451.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Alfred University?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Alfred University is 160743900. 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 Alfred University spend its money?
Alfred University allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Alfred University's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Alfred University's tax-exempt status using EIN 160743900 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
Alfred University demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues generally exceeding expenses across most of its recent filings, indicating a stable operational model. For instance, in 202206, revenue was $122,972,991 against expenses of $111,491,077. However, the most recent filing (202306) shows a slight deficit, with expenses ($112,363,461) exceeding revenue ($106,018,398), which warrants monitoring. The organization's assets have shown growth over the years, from $260,610,391 in 201406 to $368,832,192 in 202306, suggesting a healthy accumulation of resources. Liabilities have remained relatively stable and manageable in proportion to assets.
Spending efficiency appears to be reasonable for an educational institution, though specific program, administrative, and fundraising breakdowns are not provided in the summary data. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is unusual for an organization of this size and suggests that executive compensation might be reported under other expense categories or that the provided data is incomplete regarding this specific line item, which could impact transparency assessment. Further investigation into the full 990 forms would be necessary to understand the true allocation of expenses and executive remuneration.
Overall, Alfred University appears to be in a sound financial position with a history of responsible management, though the recent deficit and the lack of detailed compensation reporting in the provided summary data are points to consider for a complete transparency evaluation. The growth in assets over the decade is a positive indicator of long-term financial health.