Quick charity verification for Check Payment Systems Assn (EIN: 136174436)
Verdict: Check Payment Systems Assn has notable concerns
35/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
4Red Flags
1Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent and significant deficit spending in 2011 and 2012 (expenses far exceeded revenue).
Substantial decline in assets from $193,101 to $155,332 over one year.
Latest reported revenue and assets are $0, raising questions about current operational status.
Unknown NTEE code, which can hinder understanding of its specific charitable purpose and peer comparison.
Strengths
Reported 0% officer compensation in 2011 and 2012, indicating a potentially volunteer-driven leadership.
Spending Breakdown
How Check Payment Systems Assn 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 Check Payment Systems Assn
Is Check Payment Systems Assn a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Check Payment Systems Assn (EIN: 136174436) has notable concerns. Mission Score: 35/100. 4 red flags identified, 1 strength noted.
Is Check Payment Systems Assn a good charity to donate to?
Check Payment Systems Assn has a Mission Score of 35/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Check Payment Systems Assn?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Check Payment Systems Assn is 136174436. 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 Check Payment Systems Assn spend its money?
Check Payment Systems Assn allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Check Payment Systems Assn's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Check Payment Systems Assn's tax-exempt status using EIN 136174436 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 Check Payment Systems Assn appears to be in a state of financial decline, based on the provided IRS 990 data. In both 2011 and 2012, the organization consistently spent significantly more than it brought in, with expenses of $44,258 against $13,445 in revenue in 2011, and $43,895 against $8,748 in revenue in 2012. This trend indicates an unsustainable operational model where the organization is drawing down its assets to cover costs. Its assets decreased from $193,101 in 2011 to $155,332 in 2012, reflecting this deficit spending.
The organization's latest filing shows $0 in revenue and assets, which suggests it may no longer be actively operating or has undergone a significant restructuring not detailed in the provided data. Without more recent financial information or a breakdown of expenses, it's difficult to assess spending efficiency beyond the clear pattern of deficit spending. The lack of officer compensation reported in both periods suggests a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure, which could be a positive for efficiency if programs were robust, but in this case, it's overshadowed by the overall financial instability. Transparency is moderate given the available filings, but the 'Unknown' NTEE code and the current $0 revenue/assets raise questions about its current status and purpose.