Quick charity verification for Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society (EIN: 10860544)
Verdict: Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$22KRevenue
$6KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent positive net income in recent years (e.g., $24,344 revenue vs. $17,109 expenses in 2023).
Zero liabilities reported across all 14 filing periods, indicating strong financial management.
Growing asset base, increasing from $8,347 in 2022 to $15,488 in 2023.
0% officer compensation, suggesting efficient use of funds for mission-related activities.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (14 filings), demonstrating commitment to transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Bluffton Olde Town Merchants 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 Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society
Is Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society (EIN: 10860544) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society a good charity to donate to?
Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $22K. Assets: $6K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society is 10860544. 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 Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society spend its money?
Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 10860544 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 Bluffton Olde Town Merchants Society demonstrates consistent financial stability, with recent filings showing positive net income. In 2023, the organization reported revenue of $24,344 against expenses of $17,109, resulting in a surplus. This trend of managing expenses below revenue is a positive indicator, especially compared to earlier years like 2017 and 2015 where expenses exceeded revenue. The organization's assets have also shown growth, increasing from $8,347 in 2022 to $15,488 in 2023, while maintaining zero liabilities across all reported periods, indicating a healthy balance sheet and responsible financial management.
Spending efficiency appears strong, particularly given the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, suggesting that resources are primarily directed towards operational and programmatic activities rather than executive salaries. While specific breakdowns of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses are not detailed in the provided summary, the overall financial health and lack of liabilities point to efficient use of funds. The organization's consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 14 periods also reflects a commitment to transparency, providing a clear historical record of its financial activities to the public and potential donors.