Quick charity verification for Central Iowa Expo Inc (EIN: 208455185)
Verdict: Central Iowa Expo Inc has notable concerns
35/100Mission Score
$258KRevenue
$945KAssets
4Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent and significant operating deficits, with expenses exceeding revenue in 9 out of 10 reported years.
Substantial decline in total assets from $4,185,785 in 2014 to $1,111,972 in 2023, indicating asset depletion.
Unstable revenue streams, with large fluctuations year-over-year (e.g., $4.4M in 2016 vs. $123K in 2015).
Lack of detailed spending breakdown (e.g., program vs. admin vs. fundraising) in the provided data, hindering efficiency assessment.
Strengths
0% officer compensation reported across all available filings, indicating no executive pay.
Low reported liabilities in most recent years ($0 in 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018).
Spending Breakdown
How Central Iowa Expo Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
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 Central Iowa Expo Inc
Is Central Iowa Expo Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Central Iowa Expo Inc (EIN: 208455185) has notable concerns. Mission Score: 35/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Central Iowa Expo Inc a good charity to donate to?
Central Iowa Expo Inc has a Mission Score of 35/100. Revenue: $258K. Assets: $945K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Central Iowa Expo Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Central Iowa Expo Inc is 208455185. 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 Central Iowa Expo Inc spend its money?
Central Iowa Expo Inc allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Central Iowa Expo Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Central Iowa Expo Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 208455185 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
Central Iowa Expo Inc. exhibits a concerning financial trend, consistently operating at a significant deficit for most of the past decade. For example, in 2023, expenses of $339,847 far outstripped revenue of $167,070, leading to a substantial net loss. This pattern of spending more than it earns is a major red flag for long-term sustainability. While the organization reports 0% officer compensation, which is a positive for transparency regarding executive pay, the overall financial health is weak due to persistent operating losses and a declining asset base.
The organization's assets have steadily decreased from $4,185,785 in 2014 to $1,111,972 in 2023, indicating a depletion of its financial reserves. This asset decline, coupled with consistent negative net income, suggests that the organization may be liquidating assets or relying on past reserves to cover operational costs. The lack of detailed spending breakdowns in the provided data makes it difficult to assess spending efficiency beyond the overall deficit, but the consistent losses point to an unsustainable financial model.