Quick charity verification for Carstens Educational Fund (EIN: 207113069)
Verdict: Carstens Educational Fund appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$34KRevenue
$895KAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant year-over-year expense fluctuations without clear explanation in summary data (e.g., $85,856 in 2021 vs. $6,840 in 2023).
Strengths
Consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating strong commitment to mission over executive pay.
Maintains a substantial asset base ($895,046) relative to its annual revenue, suggesting long-term financial stability.
Demonstrates very low expense ratios in multiple years (e.g., $6,840 expenses on $35,077 revenue in 2023), indicating efficient operations.
Consistent revenue generation over the years, showing a stable funding stream.
Spending Breakdown
How Carstens Educational Fund allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
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 Carstens Educational Fund
Is Carstens Educational Fund a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Carstens Educational Fund (EIN: 207113069) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Carstens Educational Fund a good charity to donate to?
Carstens Educational Fund has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $34K. Assets: $895K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Carstens Educational Fund?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Carstens Educational Fund is 207113069. 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 Carstens Educational Fund spend its money?
Carstens Educational Fund allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Carstens Educational Fund's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Carstens Educational Fund's tax-exempt status using EIN 207113069 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 Carstens Educational Fund demonstrates consistent financial stability with a strong asset base relative to its annual revenue. In 2023, the organization reported $811,660 in assets against $35,077 in revenue, indicating a well-endowed fund. Spending efficiency appears high, particularly in recent years, with expenses significantly lower than revenue in 2023 ($6,840 expenses vs. $35,077 revenue) and 2020 ($5,637 expenses vs. $28,570 revenue). This suggests a focus on accumulating assets or a very lean operational model. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. However, the specific breakdown of program versus administrative spending is not detailed in the provided summary, making a precise assessment of program efficiency challenging without further data. The significant fluctuations in expenses, such as $85,856 in 2021 compared to $6,840 in 2023, warrant further investigation to understand the nature of these expenditures and their alignment with the organization's educational mission.