Quick charity verification for Amherst Land Trust (EIN: 20326055)
Verdict: Amherst Land Trust appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$46KRevenue
$1.4MAssets
2Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Highly volatile annual revenue, indicating potential reliance on infrequent large donations or grants.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown in available data makes it difficult to fully assess program spending efficiency.
Strengths
Significant and consistent asset growth, reaching $1,395,427 in 2023.
Zero liabilities reported across all filing periods, indicating excellent financial management.
0% officer compensation, demonstrating a volunteer-driven leadership.
Extremely low expense ratios in most years, suggesting high operational efficiency.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history, indicating good transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Amherst Land Trust allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Amherst Land Trust
Is Amherst Land Trust a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Amherst Land Trust (EIN: 20326055) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Amherst Land Trust a good charity to donate to?
Amherst Land Trust has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $46K. Assets: $1.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Amherst Land Trust?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Amherst Land Trust is 20326055. 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 Amherst Land Trust spend its money?
Amherst Land Trust allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Amherst Land Trust's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Amherst Land Trust's tax-exempt status using EIN 20326055 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 Amherst Land Trust demonstrates strong financial health, particularly in its asset growth and minimal liabilities. The organization's assets have grown significantly, from $457,373 in 2015 to $1,395,427 in 2023, indicating effective asset management and potentially successful land acquisition or stewardship efforts. Spending efficiency appears very high, with expenses consistently low relative to revenue in most years, such as $12,054 in expenses against $1,027,362 in revenue in 2023. This suggests a lean operational model, though it also raises questions about the allocation of funds towards program activities versus simply holding assets.
Transparency is generally good, with consistent IRS 990 filings showing no officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for a volunteer-led organization. However, the dramatic fluctuation in revenue, from $1,027,362 in 2023 to $33,331 in 2022, suggests reliance on large, infrequent donations or grants, which could pose long-term sustainability challenges if not managed with a diversified fundraising strategy. The organization's ability to maintain zero liabilities across all reported periods is a significant strength, indicating sound financial management and a lack of debt.
Overall, the Amherst Land Trust appears to be a financially stable organization with a strong focus on asset accumulation, likely for its land conservation mission. Its low expense ratios are commendable, but further insight into the nature of these expenses (program vs. administrative) would provide a clearer picture of its operational efficiency and impact. The absence of officer compensation enhances its appeal as a community-driven effort.