Quick charity verification for American Alpine Club (EIN: 131611981)
Verdict: American Alpine Club appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$8.2MRevenue
$10.7MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023, 2022), where expenses exceeded revenue.
Unusually low (0%) reported officer compensation for an organization of this size, which may obscure actual leadership costs or indicate a unique operational model.
Strengths
Strong asset base ($10,652,189 latest) providing financial stability.
Consistent history of IRS 990 filings, indicating transparency.
Low liabilities relative to assets, suggesting good financial management of debt.
Implied high program spending due to 0% officer compensation, suggesting resources are directed to mission.
Spending Breakdown
How American Alpine Club allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Alpine Club
Is American Alpine Club a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Alpine Club (EIN: 131611981) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is American Alpine Club a good charity to donate to?
American Alpine Club has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $8.2M. Assets: $10.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for American Alpine Club?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for American Alpine Club is 131611981. 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 Alpine Club spend its money?
American Alpine Club allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify American Alpine Club's tax-exempt status?
You can verify American Alpine Club's tax-exempt status using EIN 131611981 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 Alpine Club demonstrates a generally stable financial position, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities over the past decade. While revenue has fluctuated, reaching a high of $5,208,382 in 2021 and a low of $2,811,120 in 2016, the organization has managed its expenses, though it has operated at a deficit in several recent years, including 2023 ($4,961,774 revenue vs. $5,776,965 expenses) and 2022 ($5,046,816 revenue vs. $5,237,913 expenses). This trend of spending more than it earns in recent periods warrants attention, as it could impact long-term sustainability if not addressed. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a strong commitment to directing funds towards the organization's mission rather than executive salaries, which is a positive indicator of financial transparency and efficiency.