Significant and recurring deficits, notably $151,016 in 202406 and $17,417 in 202206, indicating expenses frequently outpace revenue.
Negative net asset position in the latest filing ($73,238 assets vs. $148,197 liabilities), raising concerns about solvency.
Substantial decline in revenue from a peak of over $1 million in 2016 to $256,566 in 2024, suggesting potential challenges in fundraising or program funding.
High volatility in assets and liabilities over the years, indicating inconsistent financial management or external funding reliance.
Strengths
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s for 14 periods, demonstrating strong regulatory compliance and transparency.
0% officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating a commitment to minimizing executive overhead and potentially maximizing funds for programs.
Long operational history since at least 2015, suggesting resilience and established community presence.
Focus on NTEE code B90 (Housing & Shelter) addresses critical community needs in Baltimore, MD.
Spending Breakdown
How Baltimore Cares Incorporated 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 Baltimore Cares Incorporated
Is Baltimore Cares Incorporated a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Baltimore Cares Incorporated (EIN: 208139136) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 4 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Baltimore Cares Incorporated a good charity to donate to?
Baltimore Cares Incorporated has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $257K. Assets: $73K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Baltimore Cares Incorporated?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Baltimore Cares Incorporated is 208139136. 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 Baltimore Cares Incorporated spend its money?
Baltimore Cares Incorporated allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Baltimore Cares Incorporated's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Baltimore Cares Incorporated's tax-exempt status using EIN 208139136 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
Baltimore Cares Incorporated exhibits fluctuating financial health over the past decade. While revenue has seen peaks, the latest filing (202406) shows a significant deficit, with expenses ($407,582) far exceeding revenue ($256,566), leading to a decrease in assets to $73,238 and an increase in liabilities to $148,197. This trend of expenses often outpacing revenue, as seen in 2024, 2022, 2021, 2019, and 2017, raises concerns about long-term sustainability. The organization's assets have also shown considerable volatility, from a high of $277,976 in 2016 to the current $73,238.
Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to fully assess. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates a commitment to minimizing executive overhead, which is a positive sign for donor confidence. The organization's NTEE code B90 suggests a focus on housing and shelter, which are critical community needs.
Transparency appears to be strong given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 14 periods, indicating adherence to regulatory requirements. The absence of officer compensation is also a transparent financial practice. However, the significant and recurring deficits, particularly the latest one, warrant closer examination to understand the underlying causes and the organization's strategy for achieving financial stability.