Quick charity verification for American Youth Hostels Inc (EIN: 135639689)
Verdict: American Youth Hostels Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$36.1MRevenue
$74.1MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant liabilities relative to assets (e.g., $45.1M liabilities vs. $69.6M assets in 2023)
Revenue volatility, particularly the sharp decline during the pandemic (from $49M in 2019 to $15M in 2021)
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating high efficiency in leadership costs.
Strong post-pandemic revenue recovery, from $15.1M in 2021 to $30.6M in 2023.
Maintained substantial asset base ($74M latest period) despite revenue fluctuations.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history demonstrating transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How American Youth Hostels Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 Youth Hostels Inc
Is American Youth Hostels Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Youth Hostels Inc (EIN: 135639689) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is American Youth Hostels Inc a good charity to donate to?
American Youth Hostels Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $36.1M. Assets: $74.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for American Youth Hostels Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for American Youth Hostels Inc is 135639689. 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 Youth Hostels Inc spend its money?
American Youth Hostels Inc allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify American Youth Hostels Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify American Youth Hostels Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 135639689 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
American Youth Hostels Inc. (AYH) demonstrates a fluctuating financial performance over the past decade, with significant impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Revenue dropped sharply from $49 million in 2019 to $15 million in 2021, reflecting the challenges faced by travel-related organizations. However, the organization has shown a strong recovery, with revenue rebounding to $30.6 million in 2023. Despite these fluctuations, AYH has consistently maintained substantial assets, reaching $74 million in the latest period, indicating a solid underlying financial base. The organization's liabilities have also been significant, often exceeding 50% of assets, which warrants attention.
Spending efficiency appears to be a strength, as the organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, suggesting a volunteer or very low-paid leadership structure, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size and revenue. This contributes to a high proportion of expenses likely directed towards program services. The recovery in revenue and controlled expenses in recent years (e.g., 2023 revenue of $30.6M against expenses of $28.8M) indicates a return to operational sustainability and a focus on mission delivery.
Transparency is excellent regarding executive compensation, with a clear 0% reported for officers across all available filings. This level of transparency is commendable. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 12 periods also demonstrates a commitment to public disclosure. The organization's ability to navigate significant economic downturns while maintaining its asset base and recovering revenue speaks to resilient financial management.