Is Central Park School For Children Foundation Legit?
Quick charity verification for Central Park School For Children Foundation (EIN: 201582345)
Verdict: Central Park School For Children Foundation appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$936KRevenue
$12.0MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023 expenses $860,283 vs. revenue $396,970), though potentially covered by reserves.
Strengths
No reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds.
Substantial and growing asset base, reaching $12,045,631, providing financial stability.
Long history of filings (13 filings), demonstrating consistent operation and transparency.
Strong program focus implied by the NTEE code and the absence of high administrative costs.
Spending Breakdown
How Central Park School For Children Foundation 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 Central Park School For Children Foundation
Is Central Park School For Children Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Central Park School For Children Foundation (EIN: 201582345) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Central Park School For Children Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Central Park School For Children Foundation has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $936K. Assets: $12.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Central Park School For Children Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Central Park School For Children Foundation is 201582345. 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 Park School For Children Foundation spend its money?
Central Park School For Children Foundation allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Central Park School For Children Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Central Park School For Children Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 201582345 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 Central Park School For Children Foundation demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its program spending. The organization has maintained a healthy asset base, growing from $574,391 in 2015 to $12,045,631 currently, indicating strong financial stewardship and potentially successful fundraising efforts over the long term. While recent filings show expenses exceeding revenue (e.g., $860,283 expenses vs. $396,970 revenue in 2023), this could be due to strategic investments or utilization of accumulated reserves, which is not necessarily a red flag given the substantial assets. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a volunteer-driven leadership, enhancing donor confidence in funds directly supporting the mission. The organization's financial health appears stable, supported by significant assets that can buffer operational fluctuations.