Is Ameson Education & Cultural Exchange Foundation Legit?
Quick charity verification for Ameson Education & Cultural Exchange Foundation (EIN: 134017822)
Verdict: Ameson Education & Cultural Exchange Foundation shows mixed signals
55/100Mission Score
$1.8MRevenue
$551KAssets
4Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent deficit spending in recent years (expenses exceeded revenue by $112,381 in 2017 and $124,716 in 2016).
Liabilities ($841,340 in 2017) significantly exceed assets ($551,121) in recent filings.
Zero reported officer compensation despite significant revenue and expenses, which is unusual for an organization of this size.
Sudden and large increase in liabilities from $0 in 2015 to over $800,000 in 2016 without clear explanation in summary data.
Strengths
Consistent revenue generation, growing from $950,259 in 2013 to $1,821,661 in 2017.
Regular and consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, indicating a commitment to transparency in reporting.
Spending Breakdown
How Ameson Education & Cultural Exchange Foundation 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 Ameson Education & Cultural Exchange Foundation
Is Ameson Education & Cultural Exchange Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ameson Education & Cultural Exchange Foundation (EIN: 134017822) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Ameson Education & Cultural Exchange Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Ameson Education & Cultural Exchange Foundation has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $1.8M. Assets: $551K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Ameson Education & Cultural Exchange Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Ameson Education & Cultural Exchange Foundation is 134017822. 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 Ameson Education & Cultural Exchange Foundation spend its money?
Ameson Education & Cultural Exchange Foundation allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Ameson Education & Cultural Exchange Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Ameson Education & Cultural Exchange Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 134017822 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
Ameson Education & Cultural Exchange Foundation has demonstrated consistent revenue generation over the past five years, with its latest reported revenue at $1,821,661. However, the organization has consistently spent more than it earned in the last two reported periods, with expenses exceeding revenue by $112,381 in 2017 and $124,716 in 2016. This trend of deficit spending, coupled with liabilities exceeding assets in the most recent filings ($841,340 in liabilities vs. $551,121 in assets in 2017), raises concerns about its long-term financial stability. The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, but the lack of reported officer compensation across all filings, despite significant revenue and expenses, warrants further investigation into how leadership is compensated or if it's entirely volunteer-run.