Quick charity verification for Arlington Cemetery Association (EIN: 220741408)
Verdict: Arlington Cemetery Association appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$817KRevenue
$1.8MAssets
4Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023 and 2022) where expenses exceeded revenue.
Significant decline in revenue from $443,841 in 2020 to $204,893 in 2023 without a corresponding decrease in expenses.
Unknown NTEE code, making it difficult to benchmark against similar organizations.
No reported officer compensation across all filings, which can be a red flag for transparency if compensation is being paid through other means or if the organization is entirely volunteer-run without clear disclosure of operational leadership.
Strengths
Strong asset growth over the past decade, from $557,438 in 2014 to $1,829,609 in 2023, indicating good financial management of reserves.
Low liabilities relative to assets, with liabilities typically less than 5% of total assets in recent years.
Consistent filing history with 13 filings, demonstrating compliance with IRS reporting requirements.
Absence of reported officer compensation suggests a potentially lean administrative structure or significant volunteer involvement.
Spending Breakdown
How Arlington Cemetery Association allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
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 Arlington Cemetery Association
Is Arlington Cemetery Association a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Arlington Cemetery Association (EIN: 220741408) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 4 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Arlington Cemetery Association a good charity to donate to?
Arlington Cemetery Association has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $817K. Assets: $1.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Arlington Cemetery Association?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Arlington Cemetery Association is 220741408. 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 Arlington Cemetery Association spend its money?
Arlington Cemetery Association allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Arlington Cemetery Association's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Arlington Cemetery Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 220741408 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 Arlington Cemetery Association appears to be a financially stable organization, consistently maintaining positive assets over liabilities. However, recent filings show a trend of expenses exceeding revenue, with 202312 reporting $314,328 in expenses against $204,893 in revenue, and 202212 showing $305,572 in expenses versus $225,079 in revenue. This indicates a reliance on prior year surpluses or investment income to cover operational costs. While the organization's assets have grown significantly over the past decade, from $557,438 in 2014 to $1,829,609 in 2023, the consistent operational deficit in recent years warrants closer examination. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a volunteer-led or very lean administrative structure, which can be a positive indicator of efficiency, though it also raises questions about the nature of their operations and staffing.