Latest filing shows $0 revenue and assets, which is inconsistent with historical data and requires clarification.
Strengths
Consistent history of operations with 9 years of IRS 990 filings.
Healthy asset growth from $34,834 in 2011 to $79,719 in 2019.
Consistently low or zero liabilities, indicating strong financial management.
0% reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting efficient use of funds for mission.
Expenses generally align closely with revenue, indicating funds are actively used for programs.
Spending Breakdown
How Billings Youth Orchestra allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Billings Youth Orchestra
Is Billings Youth Orchestra a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Billings Youth Orchestra (EIN: 205489475) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 80/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Billings Youth Orchestra a good charity to donate to?
Billings Youth Orchestra has a Mission Score of 80/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Billings Youth Orchestra?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Billings Youth Orchestra is 205489475. 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 Billings Youth Orchestra spend its money?
Billings Youth Orchestra allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Billings Youth Orchestra's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Billings Youth Orchestra's tax-exempt status using EIN 205489475 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
Billings Youth Orchestra appears to be a small, community-focused organization with a consistent history of operations, as evidenced by its nine years of IRS 990 filings. The organization generally maintains a healthy financial position, with assets growing over time from $34,834 in 2011 to $79,719 in 2019, and liabilities consistently low or zero. This indicates good financial management and a lack of significant debt burden. While the latest filing shows $0 revenue and assets, this is likely due to a lapse in filing or a change in reporting threshold, as previous years show active financial operations.
Spending efficiency seems reasonable for an organization of its size. For example, in 2019, expenses of $81,223 were closely aligned with revenue of $81,499, suggesting that most funds received are directly utilized for its mission. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates that leadership is likely volunteer-based or compensated through other means not reported as officer compensation, which can be a positive sign for donor confidence regarding administrative overhead. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses, it's challenging to precisely assess program spending versus administrative costs.
Transparency is generally good through its consistent 990 filings. The organization has regularly submitted its financial data to the IRS, allowing for public scrutiny. The lack of reported officer compensation, while potentially indicating volunteer leadership, also means there's less detail on how leadership is structured or supported, which could be a minor area for enhanced transparency if compensation is indeed provided in other forms. Overall, the organization demonstrates a stable financial history and a commitment to public reporting.