Quick charity verification for Cedarburg Music Festivals (EIN: 200203539)
Verdict: Cedarburg Music Festivals appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$150KRevenue
$39KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent financial surpluses (e.g., $4,055 surplus in 2023)
Zero executive compensation reported across all filings
Healthy growth in net assets from $11,027 in 2014 to $74,941 in 2023
No reported liabilities in recent years, indicating strong solvency
Consistent IRS 990 filing history demonstrating transparency
Spending Breakdown
How Cedarburg Music Festivals allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
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 Cedarburg Music Festivals
Is Cedarburg Music Festivals a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Cedarburg Music Festivals (EIN: 200203539) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Cedarburg Music Festivals a good charity to donate to?
Cedarburg Music Festivals has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $150K. Assets: $39K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Cedarburg Music Festivals?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Cedarburg Music Festivals is 200203539. 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 Cedarburg Music Festivals spend its money?
Cedarburg Music Festivals allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Cedarburg Music Festivals's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Cedarburg Music Festivals's tax-exempt status using EIN 200203539 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
Cedarburg Music Festivals demonstrates consistent financial stability over the past decade, with revenues generally exceeding expenses. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $135,629 against expenses of $131,574, resulting in a surplus. The organization has maintained a healthy asset base, growing from $11,027 in 2014 to $74,941 in 2023, with no reported liabilities in recent years, indicating strong financial management and solvency. The absence of officer compensation reported across all filings suggests a volunteer-driven leadership, which is a significant positive for donor confidence as funds are directly allocated to the mission rather than executive salaries.
While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the overall financial health appears robust. The organization consistently manages to operate within its means, often generating small surpluses that contribute to asset growth. This operational efficiency, coupled with a clear lack of executive compensation, points to a highly program-focused and transparent approach to financial stewardship. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods further underscores their commitment to transparency.
Given the available data, Cedarburg Music Festivals appears to be a well-managed and financially sound nonprofit. Their ability to operate without executive compensation, maintain a positive net asset position, and consistently generate revenue to cover expenses are strong indicators of effective financial health and a dedication to their mission.