Quick charity verification for Bike Utah (EIN: 202804553)
Verdict: Bike Utah appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$414KRevenue
$76KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits in recent years (2020-2023), with expenses exceeding revenue.
Declining asset base from $581,608 in 2020 to $249,770 in 2023, indicating reliance on reserves.
Strengths
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds for mission.
Strong historical revenue growth from 2014 to 2019, demonstrating past fundraising capacity.
Relatively low liabilities compared to assets, suggesting responsible debt management.
Spending Breakdown
How Bike Utah allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Bike Utah
Is Bike Utah a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bike Utah (EIN: 202804553) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Bike Utah a good charity to donate to?
Bike Utah has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $414K. Assets: $76K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Bike Utah?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Bike Utah is 202804553. 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 Bike Utah spend its money?
Bike Utah allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Bike Utah's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Bike Utah's tax-exempt status using EIN 202804553 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
Bike Utah demonstrates a fluctuating financial trajectory over the past several years. While the organization experienced significant revenue growth from 2014 to 2019, reaching a peak of $790,366, recent years (2020-2023) show a trend of expenses exceeding revenue. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $682,894 against revenues of $610,411, and in 2022, expenses were $858,076 against revenues of $674,672. This consistent deficit spending could impact long-term financial stability if not addressed. The organization's assets have also seen a decline from a high of $581,608 in 2020 to $249,770 in 2023, further indicating a draw on reserves.
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 available filings suggests a commitment to minimizing executive overhead, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence. The organization's liabilities have remained relatively low compared to its assets, suggesting responsible debt management. Transparency is generally good with consistent 990 filings, but more granular expense data would enhance a full assessment of spending efficiency.
Overall, Bike Utah appears to be at a critical juncture, needing to stabilize its financial operations by aligning expenses with revenue to ensure sustainable growth and continued mission delivery. The lack of officer compensation is a strong positive, but the recent trend of operating deficits warrants close monitoring.