Quick charity verification for Bosko (EIN: 208598257)
Verdict: Bosko appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$853KRevenue
$225KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Frequent periods of expenses exceeding revenue (e.g., 202312, 202012, 201712), indicating potential operational deficits.
Significant increase in liabilities in recent years, from $0 in 201912 to $60,100 in 202212 and 202312, without clear explanation.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds at the executive level.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (9 filings), demonstrating commitment to transparency.
Overall growth in assets from $114,038 in 2010 to $224,618 currently, despite fluctuating annual performance.
Clear mission focus as indicated by NTEE code B82 (Animal Protection & Welfare).
Spending Breakdown
How Bosko allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Bosko
Is Bosko a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bosko (EIN: 208598257) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Bosko a good charity to donate to?
Bosko has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $853K. Assets: $225K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Bosko?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Bosko is 208598257. 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 Bosko spend its money?
Bosko allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Bosko's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Bosko's tax-exempt status using EIN 208598257 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
Bosko demonstrates a fluctuating financial trajectory over its filing history. While the organization reported its latest revenue at $852,995, the most recent detailed filing (202312) shows revenue of $393,331 against expenses of $449,364, indicating a deficit for that period. This trend of expenses exceeding revenue is also visible in several other years, such as 202012, 201712, 201112, and 201012, suggesting potential reliance on prior year surpluses or other funding sources to cover operational costs. The organization's assets have grown significantly from $114,038 in 2010 to $224,618 currently, with a notable dip in 2023 to $144,589 before the latest reported figure. Liabilities have also fluctuated, reaching $60,100 in recent years, which is a significant portion of its assets in some periods.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed functional expense breakdown (program, administrative, fundraising) from the provided data. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a strong indicator of efficient use of funds at the executive level, suggesting that leadership may be volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation. This practice can free up more resources for programmatic activities. The organization's NTEE code B82 (Animal Protection & Welfare) suggests a clear mission focus.
Transparency appears to be good given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a long period. The absence of officer compensation is a positive sign for donors concerned about executive pay. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, it's challenging to fully evaluate how efficiently funds are being allocated to its mission versus overhead. The fluctuating financial performance, with several years showing expenses exceeding revenue, warrants closer examination to understand the sustainability of its operations.