Is American Academy Of Religion Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for American Academy Of Religion Inc (EIN: 205478525)

Verdict: American Academy Of Religion Inc appears trustworthy

70/100Mission Score

$2.1MRevenue

$9.7MAssets

3Red Flags

3Strengths

Red Flags

Recurring operating deficits in recent years (e.g., $123,105 in 2023, $371,632 in 2022, $922,338 in 2021).
NTEE code Z99 ('Unknown') limits understanding of specific programmatic focus.
Unusually consistent 0% officer compensation for an organization of this size, which may obscure executive remuneration if reported elsewhere.

Strengths

Strong and stable asset base, consistently over $10 million, providing financial resilience (e.g., $10,597,159 in 2023).
Zero reported officer compensation, indicating a potential commitment to minimizing executive overhead or a volunteer leadership model.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), suggesting consistent compliance and transparency in reporting.

Spending Breakdown

How American Academy Of Religion Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

70%

Program Spending

Below average — room for improvement

20%

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 American Academy Of Religion Inc

Is American Academy Of Religion Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Academy Of Religion Inc (EIN: 205478525) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is American Academy Of Religion Inc a good charity to donate to?

American Academy Of Religion Inc has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $2.1M. Assets: $9.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for American Academy Of Religion Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for American Academy Of Religion Inc is 205478525. 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 American Academy Of Religion Inc spend its money?

American Academy Of Religion Inc allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify American Academy Of Religion Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify American Academy Of Religion Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 205478525 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 American Academy Of Religion Inc (AAR) demonstrates a generally stable financial position with assets consistently around $10-12 million over the past decade, reaching $10,597,159 in 2023. However, the organization has experienced several years where expenses exceeded revenue, notably in 2023 ($3,347,333 expenses vs. $3,224,228 revenue), 2022 ($3,329,930 expenses vs. $2,958,298 revenue), and 2021 ($2,549,774 expenses vs. $1,627,436 revenue). This trend of operating deficits, particularly in recent years, warrants closer examination to ensure long-term sustainability, although their substantial asset base provides a buffer.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which is not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a commitment to minimizing executive overhead, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence. The organization's NTEE code Z99 (Unknown) could potentially hinder transparency for donors seeking to understand its specific programmatic focus.

Overall, while AAR maintains a healthy asset base, the recurring operating deficits in recent years are a concern. The lack of officer compensation is a strong positive for transparency and efficiency, but the absence of detailed spending categories and a specific NTEE code limits a comprehensive assessment of its programmatic impact and overall financial health.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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