Quick charity verification for Central Jersey Legal Services Inc (EIN: 210684259)
Verdict: Central Jersey Legal Services Inc appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$13.5MRevenue
$7.4MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Unusually low (0%) reported officer compensation, which may indicate compensation is reported under other categories or that leadership is entirely pro-bono, warranting further investigation for full transparency.
Strengths
Strong revenue growth, increasing from $4.8M in 2014 to $13.2M in 2023.
Significant financial surplus of nearly $2 million in the latest fiscal year (2023).
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating a focus on mission spending.
Substantial increase in assets in 2023, suggesting organizational growth and capacity.
Clear alignment between NTEE code (Legal Services) and organizational name/mission.
Spending Breakdown
How Central Jersey Legal Services Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Jersey Legal Services Inc
Is Central Jersey Legal Services Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Central Jersey Legal Services Inc (EIN: 210684259) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Central Jersey Legal Services Inc a good charity to donate to?
Central Jersey Legal Services Inc has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $13.5M. Assets: $7.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Central Jersey Legal Services Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Central Jersey Legal Services Inc is 210684259. 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 Jersey Legal Services Inc spend its money?
Central Jersey Legal Services Inc allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Central Jersey Legal Services Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Central Jersey Legal Services Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 210684259 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 Jersey Legal Services Inc demonstrates a strong and improving financial position, particularly in its latest filing period. The organization reported revenue of $13,261,580 against expenses of $11,318,137 in 2023, resulting in a significant surplus. This marks a positive trend, as previous years often showed expenses closely matching or slightly exceeding revenue. The substantial increase in assets from $2,591,995 in 2022 to $7,275,946 in 2023, alongside a corresponding increase in liabilities, suggests significant growth and potentially new funding or operational expansion. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings indicates a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries, which is a strong indicator of financial health and donor trust. The organization's NTEE code I80 (Legal Services) aligns with its name, suggesting a clear programmatic focus.