Quick charity verification for Carleton Project (EIN: 10516247)
Verdict: Carleton Project appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$161KRevenue
$93KAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Minor operational deficit in the latest filing period (202306), with expenses slightly exceeding revenue.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency and mission focus.
Growing asset base, from $53,999 in 2019 to $150,516 in 2023, demonstrating financial growth.
Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating strong financial management and solvency.
Consistent filing history (13 filings), suggesting good transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Carleton Project allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
7%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
3%
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 Carleton Project
Is Carleton Project a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Carleton Project (EIN: 10516247) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Carleton Project a good charity to donate to?
Carleton Project has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $161K. Assets: $93K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Carleton Project?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Carleton Project is 10516247. 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 Carleton Project spend its money?
Carleton Project allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Carleton Project's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Carleton Project's tax-exempt status using EIN 10516247 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 Carleton Project demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its program spending. While the organization experienced a slight deficit in its latest filing period (202306) with expenses of $245,801 exceeding revenue of $245,683, its asset base has shown growth, reaching $150,516 in 2023 from $93,184 in 2021. This indicates a generally stable financial position despite year-to-year fluctuations in operational surplus or deficit. The organization's transparency is high, particularly given its consistent reporting and the absence of officer compensation, which simplifies financial analysis and suggests resources are directed towards programmatic activities.
Over the past several years, The Carleton Project has managed its finances effectively, maintaining a healthy asset-to-liability ratio. For instance, in 2023, liabilities were only $3,701 against assets of $150,516. The lack of reported officer compensation across all available filings is a significant positive indicator of efficiency and a strong focus on mission-driven spending. This practice minimizes overhead related to executive salaries, allowing a greater proportion of funds to be allocated directly to programs. The organization's financial health appears sound, with a history of managing expenses relative to revenue, even during periods of higher spending like 2016-2018.