Is Benton Institute For Broadband & Society Legit?
Quick charity verification for Benton Institute For Broadband & Society (EIN: 136075750)
Verdict: Benton Institute For Broadband & Society appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$2.2MRevenue
$3.5MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant long-term decline in assets from $8.5M in 2013 to $3.6M in 2023, which may warrant further investigation into the cause.
Highly fluctuating revenue streams over the past decade, suggesting potential reliance on grants or project-based funding that can be inconsistent.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating strong financial transparency and a focus on mission.
Low liabilities relative to assets, suggesting good financial health and minimal debt burden.
Active use of funds, with expenses often close to or slightly exceeding revenue, indicating resources are being deployed for programs.
Consistent filing of IRS 990s over a decade, demonstrating commitment to transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Benton Institute For Broadband & Society 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 Benton Institute For Broadband & Society
Is Benton Institute For Broadband & Society a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Benton Institute For Broadband & Society (EIN: 136075750) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Benton Institute For Broadband & Society a good charity to donate to?
Benton Institute For Broadband & Society has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $2.2M. Assets: $3.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Benton Institute For Broadband & Society?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Benton Institute For Broadband & Society is 136075750. 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 Benton Institute For Broadband & Society spend its money?
Benton Institute For Broadband & Society allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Benton Institute For Broadband & Society's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Benton Institute For Broadband & Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 136075750 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 Benton Institute For Broadband & Society demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its program spending. While specific breakdowns for program, administrative, and fundraising expenses are not provided in the raw data, the organization's overall expenses have generally been in line with or slightly exceeding its revenue in recent years, indicating active use of funds rather than excessive accumulation. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $1,562,458 against revenues of $1,518,158. The organization's assets have seen a gradual decline from a high of $8,498,428 in 2013 to $3,577,953 in 2023, which could suggest a strategic draw-down of reserves to fund operations or a shift in funding models. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a strong indicator of financial transparency and a focus on mission over executive enrichment. The low liabilities relative to assets also suggest good financial management and stability.