Is Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society Legit?
Quick charity verification for Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society (EIN: 166000166)
Verdict: Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$4.0MRevenue
$9.5MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014) indicate expenses frequently outpace revenue.
Unusually low (0%) reported officer compensation across all filings, which may obscure actual executive compensation structures.
Significant fluctuation in revenue and expenses year-over-year, making financial planning and stability harder to predict (e.g., 2021 revenue $3.3M vs. 2020 revenue $2.0M).
Strengths
Strong asset base, with assets generally growing over the decade, reaching $8.2 million in 2023.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods demonstrates commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency.
Significant revenue generation, with latest reported revenue at $4,010,949, indicating capacity for fundraising and program support.
Spending Breakdown
How Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society 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 Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society
Is Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society (EIN: 166000166) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society a good charity to donate to?
Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $4.0M. Assets: $9.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society is 166000166. 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 Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society spend its money?
Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 166000166 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 Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society demonstrates a fluctuating financial performance over the past decade. While the organization reported total assets of $9,456,993 and latest revenue of $4,010,949, its recent filings show a trend of expenses exceeding revenue. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $2,178,801 against revenue of $1,599,107, and in 2022, expenses were $2,091,972 against revenue of $2,281,763. This indicates a need for careful management of operational costs or an increase in sustainable funding sources to maintain long-term financial stability. The organization's assets have generally grown, from $7,066,230 in 2014 to $8,205,885 in 2023, suggesting a solid asset base, though liabilities have also seen some increases, notably in 2021.
The organization's transparency appears strong regarding executive compensation, as all filings indicate 0% officer compensation, which is unusual for an organization of its size and revenue. This suggests that top leadership may be volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as 'officer compensation' on the 990, or that the compensation is below the reporting threshold for individual officers. Further detail would be needed to fully understand the compensation structure. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance and public disclosure.