Is Bethel Historical Society Legit? —…

Spending Breakdown

How Bethel Historical 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

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 Bethel Historical Society

Is Bethel Historical Society a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bethel Historical Society (EIN: 10327007) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Bethel Historical Society a good charity to donate to?

Bethel Historical Society has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $282K. Assets: $1.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Bethel Historical Society?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Bethel Historical Society is 10327007. 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 Bethel Historical Society spend its money?

Bethel Historical Society allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Bethel Historical Society's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Bethel Historical Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 10327007 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 Bethel Historical Society demonstrates consistent financial transparency through its regular IRS 990 filings, with 13 filings available. The organization's financial health shows some fluctuations in revenue, with a notable peak of $519,005 in 2014 and $347,348 in 2020, contrasting with lower revenues like $62,369 in 2016 and $99,082 in 2022. Despite these variations, the organization maintains substantial assets, consistently over $1.3 million, reaching $1,520,615 most recently, indicating a stable asset base for its operations. Liabilities have remained very low across all reported periods, often under $2,000, which is a strong indicator of financial stability and minimal debt burden.

Spending efficiency appears to be reasonable, with expenses generally aligning with or exceeding revenue in several years, such as 2023 ($149,884 expenses vs. $127,124 revenue) and 2022 ($146,472 expenses vs. $99,082 revenue). This suggests that the society is actively utilizing its resources, including potentially drawing from reserves or prior year surpluses, to fund its programs. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is a significant positive for transparency and suggests that leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is common for smaller historical societies.

Overall, the Bethel Historical Society appears to be a well-managed organization with a strong asset base and minimal liabilities. While revenue can be inconsistent, its commitment to transparency through regular filings and the absence of reported officer compensation are commendable. The organization's ability to maintain its mission with fluctuating income suggests prudent financial management and a focus on its historical preservation goals.

Is Bethel Historical Society Legit?

Verdict: Bethel Historical Society appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths