Quick charity verification for Cape May County Zoological Society Inc (EIN: 222961917)
Verdict: Cape May County Zoological Society Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$1.8MRevenue
$2.0MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant year-over-year volatility in revenue and expenses, with revenue dropping from $933,824 in 2016 to $17,710 in 2023, raises concerns about financial stability and fundraising effectiveness.
The organization reported a net loss in several years (e.g., 2023: $171,116 revenue vs. $208,250 expenses; 2022: $27,356 revenue vs. $39,613 expenses), indicating spending exceeded income.
Assets have declined substantially from $1,024,253 in 2016 to $195,830 in 2023, suggesting a depletion of reserves or significant asset sales.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% lobbying and political campaign activities aligns with a direct service-oriented mission.
The organization has maintained operations despite significant financial fluctuations, demonstrating resilience.
The mission to support the Cape May County Zoo is clear and directly benefits a public attraction.
Spending Breakdown
How Cape May County Zoological Society Inc 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 Cape May County Zoological Society Inc
Is Cape May County Zoological Society Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Cape May County Zoological Society Inc (EIN: 222961917) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Cape May County Zoological Society Inc a good charity to donate to?
Cape May County Zoological Society Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $1.8M. Assets: $2.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Cape May County Zoological Society Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Cape May County Zoological Society Inc is 222961917. 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 Cape May County Zoological Society Inc spend its money?
Cape May County Zoological Society Inc allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Cape May County Zoological Society Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Cape May County Zoological Society Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 222961917 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
Cape May County Zoological Society Inc is a animal-related nonprofit based in Cape May Ch, New Jersey, with reported revenue of $1.8M and assets of $2.0M. Our AI analysis assigns a Mission Score of 85/100 (Excellent). Approximately 75% of spending goes to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Executive compensation cannot be assessed as no specific compensation figures for key employees were provided in the available data. Revenue has grown +51% across 12 filing periods.