Quick charity verification for Bedford Land Trust (EIN: 20445900)
Verdict: Bedford Land Trust appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$24KRevenue
$324KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent asset growth (from $181,038 in 2012 to $324,049 in 2019)
Zero liabilities across all reported periods, indicating strong financial health
Zero officer compensation, maximizing funds for programmatic use
Low expense ratio relative to revenue (e.g., 33% in 2019)
Clear and consistent IRS 990 filing history
Spending Breakdown
How Bedford 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 Bedford Land Trust
Is Bedford Land Trust a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bedford Land Trust (EIN: 20445900) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Bedford Land Trust a good charity to donate to?
Bedford Land Trust has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $24K. Assets: $324K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Bedford Land Trust?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Bedford Land Trust is 20445900. 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 Bedford Land Trust spend its money?
Bedford Land Trust allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Bedford Land Trust's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Bedford Land Trust's tax-exempt status using EIN 20445900 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
Bedford Land Trust demonstrates consistent financial stability and a strong commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its IRS 990 filings. The organization consistently maintains zero liabilities, indicating sound financial management and a lack of debt. Its assets have shown steady growth over the past eight years, increasing from $181,038 in 2012 to $324,049 in 2019, suggesting effective asset accumulation and preservation.
The organization's spending efficiency is notable, with expenses consistently remaining low relative to its revenue. For instance, in 2019, expenses were only $7,925 against revenues of $23,884. This indicates that a significant portion of its income is either retained for future programs or directly applied to its mission without being consumed by high operational costs. The absence of officer compensation further reinforces its efficiency and dedication to maximizing resources for its programmatic goals.
Bedford Land Trust's transparency is excellent, with all eight filings publicly available and showing clear financial statements. The consistent reporting of zero liabilities and zero officer compensation simplifies financial analysis and provides a clear picture of its financial health. This level of transparency, combined with its efficient spending and asset growth, paints a picture of a well-managed and trustworthy nonprofit.