Quick charity verification for American Cancer Society Inc (EIN: 20651055)
Verdict: American Cancer Society Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$5.8MRevenue
$11.4MAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant decline in assets from $27,285,052 in 2015 to $11,436,827 in 2019 without clear explanation in provided data.
Unusually high expenses of $22,657,409 in 2016, far exceeding revenue of $5,220,467 for that period.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating strong financial stewardship and focus on mission.
Maintained positive net assets, with assets ($11,436,827 in 2019) significantly exceeding liabilities ($143,538 in 2019), demonstrating solvency.
Generally stable revenue streams over the past decade, with latest revenue at $5,840,187.
Spending Breakdown
How American Cancer Society Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Cancer Society Inc
Is American Cancer Society Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Cancer Society Inc (EIN: 20651055) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is American Cancer Society Inc a good charity to donate to?
American Cancer Society Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $5.8M. Assets: $11.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for American Cancer Society Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for American Cancer Society Inc is 20651055. 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 Cancer Society Inc spend its money?
American Cancer Society Inc allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify American Cancer Society Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify American Cancer Society Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 20651055 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 Cancer Society Inc, with an EIN of 20651055, demonstrates a generally stable financial position, though with some fluctuations in revenue and assets over the past decade. In 2019, the organization reported revenues of $4,112,751 against expenses of $3,269,553, indicating a surplus. Its assets stood at $11,436,827, significantly higher than its liabilities of $143,538, suggesting good financial solvency. However, there was a notable dip in assets from a high of $27,285,052 in 2015 to the current level, which warrants further investigation into the reasons for this decline. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a strong indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. The organization's NTEE code H11 (Cancer Research) aligns with its name, suggesting a clear programmatic focus.