Is Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation Legit?
Quick charity verification for Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation (EIN: 201175160)
Verdict: Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$3.6MRevenue
$240KAssets
4Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant and consistent decline in revenue over multiple years (from $14.3M in 2011 to $3.5M in 2017).
Expenses exceeded revenue by nearly $1 million in the most recent filing (2017), indicating deficit spending.
Dramatic decrease in assets from $1,171,983 in 2016 to $239,553 in 2017, potentially used to cover deficit.
Unusually consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which may obscure actual executive remuneration.
Strengths
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating transparency in reporting.
No reported liabilities in the most recent three filings (2015-2017), indicating a debt-free balance sheet.
Long operational history with seven years of available filings.
Spending Breakdown
How Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation
Is Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation (EIN: 201175160) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation a good charity to donate to?
Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $3.6M. Assets: $240K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation is 201175160. 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 Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation spend its money?
Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation's tax-exempt status using EIN 201175160 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 Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation (COWIC) has experienced a significant decline in revenue and expenses over the past several years, with revenue dropping from $14.3 million in 2011 to $3.5 million in 2017. This trend suggests a substantial reduction in the scale of its operations. Despite this, the organization has consistently reported zero liabilities in its most recent filings (2015-2017), indicating a healthy balance sheet in terms of debt. However, the 2017 filing shows expenses exceeding revenue by nearly $1 million ($4,517,862 expenses vs. $3,585,432 revenue), which is a concern for financial sustainability if it becomes a recurring pattern.
The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with seven filings available. A notable aspect is the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which suggests either a volunteer-led executive team or that executive compensation is not reported under 'officer compensation' in a way that is easily discernible, warranting further investigation. The NTEE code W02 indicates a focus on workforce development, aligning with its name.
Overall, COWIC appears to be a well-established organization with a long filing history. The primary financial concern is the dramatic decrease in operational scale and the deficit spending in the most recent year. Its lack of reported liabilities and 0% officer compensation are positive indicators, but the shrinking revenue base and recent deficit spending require close monitoring to ensure long-term viability and program delivery.