Is American Security Project Legit? —…

Spending Breakdown

How American Security Project 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 Security Project

Is American Security Project a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Security Project (EIN: 204079553) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is American Security Project a good charity to donate to?

American Security Project has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $1.7M. Assets: $2.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for American Security Project?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for American Security Project is 204079553. 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 Security Project spend its money?

American Security Project allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify American Security Project's tax-exempt status?

You can verify American Security Project's tax-exempt status using EIN 204079553 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 Security Project demonstrates a mixed financial picture. While the organization has a history of consistent revenue generation, recent years show a trend of expenses exceeding revenue, leading to net deficits. For example, in 2023, expenses were $819,034 against revenue of $693,406, and in 2022, expenses were $893,089 against revenue of $765,251. This pattern of deficit spending, particularly in the last three reported periods, warrants close monitoring. The organization's assets have fluctuated significantly, from a high of $1,460,200 in 2022 to $1,263,506 in 2023, while liabilities have increased substantially in recent years, reaching $979,718 in 2023, indicating a reliance on debt or deferred revenue.

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 deficit spending suggests that the organization is not operating within its means, which could impact long-term sustainability. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings is a notable point regarding transparency, as it suggests either a fully volunteer leadership or compensation is reported under other expense categories, which would reduce clarity.

Overall, the organization's financial health shows signs of stress due to recurring deficits and increasing liabilities. While the asset base is substantial, the high liabilities relative to assets (e.g., $979,718 liabilities vs. $1,263,506 assets in 2023) indicate a significant portion of assets are offset by obligations. Improved financial management to align expenses with revenue and a clearer breakdown of functional expenses would enhance transparency and demonstrate better spending efficiency.

Is American Security Project Legit?

Verdict: American Security Project shows mixed signals

Red Flags

Strengths