Is Amalgamated Transit Union Legit?

Quick charity verification for Amalgamated Transit Union (EIN: 135576738)

Verdict: Amalgamated Transit Union appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score

$2.9MRevenue

$3.9MAssets

2Red Flags

4Strengths

Red Flags

Significant increase in liabilities from $49,279 in 2014 to $1,090,472 in 2023 without clear explanation in provided data.
0% officer compensation reported across all filings, which is unusual for an organization of this scale and could indicate compensation is reported in less transparent categories.

Strengths

Consistent and long-term financial reporting with 13 IRS 990 filings available.
Steady growth in assets from $1,915,488 in 2014 to $3,391,517 in 2023, indicating financial stability.
Revenues generally cover or closely match expenses over the long term, demonstrating operational sustainability.
No reported officer compensation, suggesting a potentially high dedication of funds to mission or other operational costs.

Spending Breakdown

How Amalgamated Transit Union 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 Amalgamated Transit Union

Is Amalgamated Transit Union a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Amalgamated Transit Union (EIN: 135576738) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Amalgamated Transit Union a good charity to donate to?

Amalgamated Transit Union has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $2.9M. Assets: $3.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Amalgamated Transit Union?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Amalgamated Transit Union is 135576738. 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 Amalgamated Transit Union spend its money?

Amalgamated Transit Union allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Amalgamated Transit Union's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Amalgamated Transit Union's tax-exempt status using EIN 135576738 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

The Amalgamated Transit Union demonstrates consistent financial operations with revenues generally exceeding or closely matching expenses over the past decade. For instance, in 2023, expenses of $2,386,888 slightly outpaced revenue of $2,200,863, indicating a minor deficit for that period. However, the organization has shown steady asset growth, increasing from $1,915,488 in 2014 to $3,391,517 in 2023, suggesting long-term financial stability. Liabilities have also increased over time, from $49,279 in 2014 to $1,090,472 in 2023, which warrants monitoring but does not immediately signal distress given the asset growth.

The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with 13 filings available, providing a clear historical financial record. A notable aspect is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which indicates that the organization's leadership is not drawing salaries from the reported funds, or that compensation is reported under different categories not captured by 'Officer Comp' in this data. This practice, if accurate, could be seen as a strong indicator of efficient resource allocation and a focus on mission over executive remuneration.

Without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. However, the consistent growth in assets and the absence of reported officer compensation suggest a fiscally responsible approach. The organization appears to be managing its finances prudently, maintaining a healthy asset base relative to its revenue, and consistently meeting its operational costs.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.