Quick charity verification for Believe In Me (EIN: 204830357)
Verdict: Believe In Me shows mixed signals
55/100Mission Score
$1.5MRevenue
$6.6MAssets
4Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent and significant net losses (e.g., $173,232 revenue vs. $1,204,260 expenses in 2023).
Steep decline in total assets from over $12 million in 2019 to $7,275,534 in 2023.
Dramatic decrease in revenue over the past several years, from $1,536,899 in 2017 to $173,232 in 2023.
Expenses consistently far exceeding revenue, indicating an unsustainable financial model.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating strong financial transparency and commitment to mission over executive pay.
Historically held significant assets, suggesting a strong foundation, though currently declining.
Spending Breakdown
How Believe In Me allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 Believe In Me
Is Believe In Me a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Believe In Me (EIN: 204830357) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Believe In Me a good charity to donate to?
Believe In Me has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $1.5M. Assets: $6.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Believe In Me?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Believe In Me is 204830357. 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 Believe In Me spend its money?
Believe In Me allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Believe In Me's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Believe In Me's tax-exempt status using EIN 204830357 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
Believe In Me exhibits a concerning trend of declining revenue and significant net losses over the past few years, raising questions about its long-term financial sustainability. In 2023, the organization reported revenue of $173,232 against expenses of $1,204,260, resulting in a substantial deficit. This pattern is consistent with previous years, where expenses consistently outpaced revenue, leading to a notable decrease in assets from a peak of over $12 million in 2019 to $7,275,534 in 2023. While the organization reports 0% officer compensation, which is a positive for transparency, the overall financial health appears to be deteriorating.
The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses. However, the consistent and large deficits suggest that current operational costs are not being covered by incoming revenue. The significant drop in assets, from $12,059,803 in 2021 to $7,275,534 in 2023, indicates that the organization is likely drawing down its reserves to cover expenses. This trend is unsustainable and warrants close monitoring.
Regarding transparency, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a strong positive indicator. However, the lack of detailed expense allocation in the provided data makes it challenging to fully evaluate how efficiently funds are being utilized across programs, administration, and fundraising. A more granular breakdown would enhance understanding of their operational priorities and spending efficiency.