Is Cazenovia College Legit?

Quick charity verification for Cazenovia College (EIN: 150543658)

Verdict: Cazenovia College has notable concerns

30/100Mission Score

$13.8MRevenue

$26.5MAssets

5Red Flags

1Strengths

Red Flags

Consistent operating deficits for multiple years (e.g., $12.1M deficit in 202306).
Significant decline in total assets from $66.5M in 201406 to $42.2M in 202306.
Sharp decrease in revenue from $42.3M in 202206 to $28.3M in 202306, and further to $13.7M latest.
High liabilities relative to assets in recent years (e.g., $30.4M liabilities vs. $42.2M assets in 202306).
Reporting 0% officer compensation across all filings, which is unusual for an active institution and may indicate reporting anomalies or severe financial distress leading to no compensation.

Strengths

Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating a potential commitment to minimizing executive overhead or a unique compensation structure.

Spending Breakdown

How Cazenovia College 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 Cazenovia College

Is Cazenovia College a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Cazenovia College (EIN: 150543658) has notable concerns. Mission Score: 30/100. 5 red flags identified, 1 strength noted.

Is Cazenovia College a good charity to donate to?

Cazenovia College has a Mission Score of 30/100. Revenue: $13.8M. Assets: $26.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Cazenovia College?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Cazenovia College is 150543658. 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 Cazenovia College spend its money?

Cazenovia College allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Cazenovia College's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Cazenovia College's tax-exempt status using EIN 150543658 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

Cazenovia College has experienced significant financial challenges, as evidenced by its recent IRS 990 filings. The organization consistently reported expenses exceeding revenue for several years, culminating in a substantial deficit in the 202306 period where expenses of $40,476,084 far outstripped revenue of $28,310,109. This trend indicates an unsustainable operational model. The college's assets have also seen a sharp decline, from a high of $66,585,940 in 201406 to $42,263,460 in 202306, while liabilities have remained substantial, indicating a weakening financial position.

While the filings consistently show 0% officer compensation, which suggests good stewardship in that area, the overall financial health is concerning. The consistent operating deficits and declining asset base point to severe financial distress. Without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's difficult to fully assess spending efficiency, but the overall financial trajectory is negative. The lack of officer compensation reported across all filings does, however, indicate a level of transparency regarding executive pay.

Given the consistent deficits and declining assets, the organization's long-term viability appears to be at risk. The significant drop in revenue from $42,341,028 in 202206 to $28,310,109 in 202306, coupled with high expenses, highlights a critical need for financial restructuring or a significant increase in funding to sustain operations. The latest reported revenue of $13,760,530 further exacerbates these concerns, indicating a continued downward trend.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.