Is Charlestown Ambulance Attendants Association Legit?
Quick charity verification for Charlestown Ambulance Attendants Association (EIN: 20511736)
Verdict: Charlestown Ambulance Attendants Association shows mixed signals
55/100Mission Score
$740Revenue
$45KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits: Expenses have exceeded revenue in 9 out of 10 reported periods, including a $3,260 deficit in 2020 ($740 revenue vs. $4,000 expenses).
Declining asset base: Total assets have decreased from $130,674 in 2012 to $45,462 in 2020, indicating reliance on reserves to cover shortfalls.
Very low recent revenue: The 2020 revenue of $740 is exceptionally low, making it difficult to sustain even minimal operations without significant asset depletion.
Strengths
No officer compensation: The organization is entirely volunteer-run, ensuring all funds are directed to its mission.
No liabilities: The organization reports $0 in liabilities, indicating a healthy balance sheet in terms of debt.
Consistent IRS 990 filings: The organization demonstrates good transparency by consistently filing its required financial documents.
Spending Breakdown
How Charlestown Ambulance Attendants Association 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 Charlestown Ambulance Attendants Association
Is Charlestown Ambulance Attendants Association a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Charlestown Ambulance Attendants Association (EIN: 20511736) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Charlestown Ambulance Attendants Association a good charity to donate to?
Charlestown Ambulance Attendants Association has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $740. Assets: $45K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Charlestown Ambulance Attendants Association?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Charlestown Ambulance Attendants Association is 20511736. 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 Charlestown Ambulance Attendants Association spend its money?
Charlestown Ambulance Attendants Association allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Charlestown Ambulance Attendants Association's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Charlestown Ambulance Attendants Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 20511736 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 Charlestown Ambulance Attendants Association appears to be a small, community-focused organization with a history of operating at a deficit, particularly in recent years. In 2020, the organization reported revenue of only $740 against expenses of $4,000, indicating a significant reliance on its accumulated assets to cover operational costs. This trend of expenses exceeding revenue has been consistent for several years, with the exception of 2012. While the organization maintains a healthy asset base of $45,462 with no liabilities, the consistent decline in assets from a high of $130,674 in 2012 suggests a long-term sustainability challenge if current revenue and expense trends continue. The absence of officer compensation indicates a volunteer-driven model, which is a positive for efficiency, but the overall financial picture points to a need for increased fundraising or reduced operational costs to ensure long-term viability.
The organization's transparency is generally good, with consistent 990 filings available. However, the limited revenue and consistent operating deficits raise questions about its ability to effectively deliver on its mission without depleting its reserves. The lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes it difficult to fully assess spending efficiency beyond the overall deficit. Given its small size and volunteer nature, administrative costs are likely minimal, but the significant gap between revenue and expenses is a primary concern for financial health.