Quick charity verification for Carry The Flame Inc (EIN: 200845981)
Verdict: Carry The Flame Inc shows mixed signals
60/100Mission Score
$861Revenue
$8KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant decline in revenue over the past decade (from $25,060 in 2014 to $548 in 2023).
Frequent deficit spending, with expenses exceeding revenue in multiple recent years (e.g., 2023, 2021, 2018, 2017).
Very low current revenue ($548 in 2023) compared to expenses ($3,181 in 2023), indicating an unsustainable operational model in the short term.
Strengths
100% volunteer leadership with 0% officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating strong dedication and efficient use of funds.
Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms, demonstrating transparency.
Maintains positive assets ($7,709 latest, $13,323 in 2023) despite periods of deficit spending.
Spending Breakdown
How Carry The Flame Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
100%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
0%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Carry The Flame Inc
Is Carry The Flame Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Carry The Flame Inc (EIN: 200845981) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 60/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Carry The Flame Inc a good charity to donate to?
Carry The Flame Inc has a Mission Score of 60/100. Revenue: $861. Assets: $8K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Carry The Flame Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Carry The Flame Inc is 200845981. 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 Carry The Flame Inc spend its money?
Carry The Flame Inc allocates 100% to programs, 0% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Carry The Flame Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Carry The Flame Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 200845981 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
Carry The Flame Inc appears to be a very small, volunteer-run organization based on its financial filings. Its revenue has been highly inconsistent and generally declining over the past decade, from a high of $25,060 in 2014 to just $548 in 2023. Expenses have frequently exceeded revenue, leading to a draw-down of assets, though the organization maintains a modest asset base relative to its operational size. The absence of officer compensation across all reported periods suggests a strong reliance on volunteer efforts, which can be a positive indicator of dedication and efficiency for a small nonprofit. However, the lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes a precise assessment of spending efficiency challenging beyond the observation of no executive pay.
The organization's financial health shows signs of struggle, particularly with the significant drop in revenue in recent years. In 2023, expenses ($3,181) were nearly six times its revenue ($548), indicating an unsustainable operational model if this trend continues. While the organization has maintained positive assets, the consistent deficit spending in recent years (e.g., 2023, 2021, 2018, 2017) is a concern. The organization's transparency is generally good in terms of filing its 990s, but without more detailed program information, it's difficult to fully assess its impact.
Overall, Carry The Flame Inc operates on a very small scale with significant financial volatility. Its reliance on volunteers is a strength, but the declining revenue and frequent deficit spending raise questions about its long-term sustainability and ability to consistently fund its mission. The organization's financial health appears precarious given the recent trends.