Is Center For Civic Action Legit?

Quick charity verification for Center For Civic Action (EIN: 20779812)

Verdict: Center For Civic Action appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score

$1.3MRevenue

$2.7MAssets

2Red Flags

3Strengths

Red Flags

Highly volatile revenue streams year-over-year, making financial planning difficult.
Unusually low liabilities relative to assets in some years (e.g., $33,009 liabilities vs. $450,270 assets in 2020), which could indicate conservative financial management or limited operational leverage.

Strengths

Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating strong commitment to mission-focused spending.
Significant growth in assets, from $200,235 in 2015 to $2,798,568 in 2023, demonstrating financial accumulation.
Efficient spending in recent years, with expenses closely matching revenue in 2023 ($1,409,170 expenses vs. $1,409,713 revenue).

Spending Breakdown

How Center For Civic Action allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Center For Civic Action

Is Center For Civic Action a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Center For Civic Action (EIN: 20779812) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Center For Civic Action a good charity to donate to?

Center For Civic Action has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $1.3M. Assets: $2.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Center For Civic Action?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Center For Civic Action is 20779812. 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 Center For Civic Action spend its money?

Center For Civic Action allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Center For Civic Action's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Center For Civic Action's tax-exempt status using EIN 20779812 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 Center For Civic Action demonstrates a mixed financial picture with significant fluctuations in revenue and expenses over the past decade. While the organization has shown substantial growth in assets, reaching $2,798,568 in 2023, its revenue has been highly inconsistent, peaking at $2,196,438 in 2022 and then dropping to $1,409,713 in 2023. This volatility could pose challenges for long-term financial planning and program stability. 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.

Spending efficiency appears to be a strength, particularly in recent years. In 2023, expenses ($1,409,170) were very close to revenue ($1,409,713), suggesting efficient utilization of incoming funds. The significant surplus in 2022, where revenue ($2,196,438) far exceeded expenses ($802,938), contributed to a substantial increase in assets. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings enhances the organization's transparency profile, indicating that financial resources are not being diverted to high executive salaries.

Overall, the Center For Civic Action exhibits good transparency regarding executive compensation. However, the dramatic swings in revenue and expenses, such as the revenue jump from $334,000 in 2021 to $2,196,438 in 2022, and then a decrease to $1,409,713 in 2023, suggest potential reliance on large, infrequent grants or donations, which can create financial instability. Despite this, the consistent growth in assets and the absence of officer compensation are positive indicators.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

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