Is Building From Below Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Building From Below 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 Building From Below

Is Building From Below a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Building From Below (EIN: 203788954) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Building From Below a good charity to donate to?

Building From Below has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $237K. Assets: $1.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Building From Below?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Building From Below is 203788954. 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 Building From Below spend its money?

Building From Below allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Building From Below's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Building From Below's tax-exempt status using EIN 203788954 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

Building From Below demonstrates inconsistent financial performance over the past decade. While the organization has maintained substantial assets, peaking at $2,540,681 in 2022, its revenue has fluctuated significantly, from a low of $113,958 in 2014 to a high of $1,198,600 in 2022. The most recent filing (2023) shows a concerning trend where expenses ($737,711) far exceeded revenue ($172,958), leading to a substantial net loss for the year and a decrease in assets from $2,540,681 to $1,959,759. This suggests potential operational challenges or a strategic drawdown of reserves.

The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which is not provided in the summary data. However, the absence of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a commitment to minimizing executive overhead, which is a positive sign for donor confidence. The significant drop in assets in 2023, coupled with high expenses relative to revenue, warrants closer examination to understand the underlying causes and the sustainability of its operations.

Transparency appears to be a strength regarding executive compensation, as no officer compensation has been reported. However, without more granular expense data, a complete picture of how funds are allocated to programs versus overhead remains elusive. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 12 periods demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance and basic financial disclosure.

Verdict: Building From Below appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths