Is Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation…

Quick charity verification for Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation (EIN: 200422513)

Red Flags

Significant deficit in the 2023 fiscal period ($1,027,497, as expenses of $2,615,600 exceeded revenue of $1,588,103).
Substantial increase in liabilities from $3,268 in 2022 to $1,620,553 in 2023, which could indicate new debt or significant commitments.
Fluctuating financial performance with periods of significant deficits (e.g., 2023, 2017, 2015) and surpluses, suggesting potential instability in financial planning or revenue streams.

Strengths

Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating good transparency and potentially efficient use of funds at the executive level.
Significant growth in assets over the past decade, from $378,207 in 2017 to $2,462,337 in 2023, demonstrating an ability to build financial reserves.
Overall revenue growth from $245,618 in 2014 to $1,588,103 in 2023 (latest filing), indicating increasing donor support and fundraising capacity.

Spending Breakdown

How Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation

Is Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation (EIN: 200422513) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $2.7M. Assets: $2.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation is 200422513. 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 Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation spend its money?

Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 200422513 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 Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation demonstrates a fluctuating financial picture over the past decade, with significant growth in revenue and assets, particularly in recent years. While the organization's latest reported revenue is $2,654,989 and assets are $2,886,675, the 202312 filing shows expenses ($2,615,600) nearly matching revenue ($1,588,103), leading to a substantial deficit for that period. This recent deficit, coupled with a significant increase in liabilities to $1,620,553 in 2023, warrants closer examination. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates good transparency regarding executive pay, as it suggests either a volunteer board or compensation below reporting thresholds, which is positive for a foundation of this size.

The foundation's spending efficiency appears to vary. For instance, in 2023, expenses significantly outpaced revenue, while in 2022, revenue ($1,238,593) comfortably exceeded expenses ($1,097,454). The NTEE code M24 (Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness & Relief) suggests a focus on supporting police activities, which is a clear program area. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The substantial increase in liabilities in the latest period is a key area for potential concern, as it could impact future financial flexibility and sustainability.

Is Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation Legit?

Verdict: Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation appears trustworthy