Is Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Endowment Fund Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Endowment Fund Inc (EIN: 10724451)
Verdict: Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Endowment Fund Inc appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$3.7MRevenue
$13.3MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeded revenue in the most recent 202310 period ($635,275 vs. $302,354), leading to a decrease in assets from the prior year.
Strengths
Consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating highly efficient governance.
Maintains a substantial and growing asset base, reaching $13,326,718, demonstrating long-term financial stability.
Excellent transparency with 14 consistent IRS 990 filings available.
Minimal to no liabilities reported in most periods, indicating strong financial health.
Consistent revenue generation over the past decade, supporting its endowment function.
Spending Breakdown
How Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Endowment Fund Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Endowment Fund Inc
Is Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Endowment Fund Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Endowment Fund Inc (EIN: 10724451) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Endowment Fund Inc a good charity to donate to?
Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Endowment Fund Inc has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $3.7M. Assets: $13.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Endowment Fund Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Endowment Fund Inc is 10724451. 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 Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Endowment Fund Inc spend its money?
Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Endowment Fund Inc allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Endowment Fund Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Endowment Fund Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 10724451 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 Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Endowment Fund Inc primarily functions as an endowment, as indicated by its name and NTEE code (C113 - Environmental Education Endowments). This means its financial health is largely tied to its asset base and investment performance, with expenses typically representing distributions to support its parent organization or related programs. The organization consistently maintains a substantial asset base, reaching $13,326,718 in its latest reported period, which is a strong indicator of long-term stability. Its revenue streams fluctuate, as is common for endowments, with a notable dip in the 202310 period where expenses ($635,275) exceeded revenue ($302,354), leading to a decrease in assets from the previous year. However, this is not necessarily a red flag for an endowment, as it may reflect strategic distributions or market fluctuations.
Spending efficiency for an endowment is less about direct program delivery and more about prudent investment management and appropriate distributions. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests a highly efficient administrative structure, likely relying on volunteer leadership or shared services with a parent organization. The organization's transparency is excellent, with 14 filings available, indicating consistent compliance with IRS reporting requirements. The absence of liabilities in most periods further underscores a healthy financial position, though the $12,820 in liabilities in 202310 is a minor increase but not concerning given the asset size.
Overall, the Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Endowment Fund Inc appears to be a well-managed and transparent endowment. Its financial health is robust, supported by a significant asset base. The lack of officer compensation and consistent filing history are strong indicators of good governance and efficient operations for an organization of this type. While the 202310 period showed expenses exceeding revenue, this is a common occurrence for endowments making distributions or experiencing market downturns, and the overall trend of asset growth over the long term remains positive.