Is Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences…

Quick charity verification for Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences (EIN: 166000178)

Spending Breakdown

How Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Society Of Natural Sciences

Is Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences (EIN: 166000178) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences a good charity to donate to?

Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $8.4M. Assets: $29.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences is 166000178. 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 Society Of Natural Sciences spend its money?

Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences's tax-exempt status using EIN 166000178 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 Society Of Natural Sciences demonstrates generally sound financial health, with assets consistently exceeding liabilities, indicating a stable balance sheet. For instance, in 2023, assets were $25,520,033 against liabilities of $990,647. The organization has experienced fluctuations in revenue and expenses over the past decade, with revenue ranging from a low of $4,052,411 in 2020 to a high of $8,095,960 in 2018. While there was a deficit in 2023 (expenses of $6,401,804 exceeding revenue of $5,462,221), this appears to be an anomaly in a trend of generally positive net income. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests either a volunteer-led executive team or that compensation is reported under other expense categories, which could impact the perceived transparency of executive pay.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses. However, the consistent growth in assets from $19,587,840 in 2014 to $25,520,033 in 2023 suggests effective management of resources and investment in the organization's long-term sustainability. The absence of reported officer compensation, while potentially positive for resource allocation, also raises questions about the full picture of operational costs and leadership structure. Further detail on functional expenses would provide a clearer view of how efficiently funds are directed towards its mission.

Is Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences Legit?

Verdict: Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths