Is American Great Lakes Ports Association Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for American Great Lakes Ports Association Inc (EIN: 200050293)
Verdict: American Great Lakes Ports Association Inc appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$582KRevenue
$182KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeded revenue in multiple recent periods (e.g., 2023: $908,509 expenses vs. $721,826 revenue), indicating potential operational deficits.
Significant fluctuations in revenue and assets year-over-year, which could indicate unpredictable funding or operational challenges.
Strengths
Consistently reports zero liabilities across all filings, indicating strong financial health regarding debt.
Reports 0% officer compensation, suggesting a lean executive cost structure.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods demonstrates a commitment to transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How American Great Lakes Ports Association 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 Great Lakes Ports Association Inc
Is American Great Lakes Ports Association Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Great Lakes Ports Association Inc (EIN: 200050293) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is American Great Lakes Ports Association Inc a good charity to donate to?
American Great Lakes Ports Association Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $582K. Assets: $182K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for American Great Lakes Ports Association Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for American Great Lakes Ports Association Inc is 200050293. 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 Great Lakes Ports Association Inc spend its money?
American Great Lakes Ports Association Inc allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify American Great Lakes Ports Association Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify American Great Lakes Ports Association Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 200050293 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 Great Lakes Ports Association Inc. demonstrates a fluctuating financial performance over the past decade. While revenue has seen significant swings, from a low of $243,370 in 2021 to a high of $738,944 in 2022, the organization generally operates with expenses closely matching or exceeding revenue in many periods, such as 2023 where expenses ($908,509) significantly outpaced revenue ($721,826). This indicates a potential reliance on prior year surpluses or other funding mechanisms to cover operational costs. The organization consistently reports zero liabilities across all filings, which is a strong indicator of financial stability and responsible debt management.
Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program vs. administrative expenses from the provided data, it's challenging to fully assess. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests a lean operational structure at the executive level, which can contribute to efficiency. The organization's assets have also shown considerable fluctuation, peaking at $388,001 in 2022 before dropping to $201,318 in 2023, reflecting the variability in its financial position.
In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods demonstrates a commitment to public disclosure. The absence of officer compensation is a notable transparent aspect. However, a more detailed breakdown of functional expenses (program, administrative, fundraising) would further enhance transparency and allow for a more precise evaluation of spending efficiency.