Is Cheese Importers Association Of America Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Cheese Importers Association Of America Inc (EIN: 136162023)
Verdict: Cheese Importers Association Of America Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$1.1MRevenue
$1.1MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., $265,825 in 2023, $73,335 in 2022) could indicate an unsustainable financial model if not addressed.
Declining assets from a peak of $1,417,191 in 2021 to $1,078,031 in 2023, potentially due to covering operating deficits.
Strengths
Zero reported liabilities across all available filings, indicating strong financial stability and low debt.
0% officer compensation reported in all filings, suggesting highly efficient use of funds and potentially volunteer leadership.
Consistent asset base exceeding $1 million over the past decade, providing a strong financial cushion.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), demonstrating transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Cheese Importers Association Of America Inc 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 Cheese Importers Association Of America Inc
Is Cheese Importers Association Of America Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Cheese Importers Association Of America Inc (EIN: 136162023) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Cheese Importers Association Of America Inc a good charity to donate to?
Cheese Importers Association Of America Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $1.1M. Assets: $1.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Cheese Importers Association Of America Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Cheese Importers Association Of America Inc is 136162023. 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 Cheese Importers Association Of America Inc spend its money?
Cheese Importers Association Of America Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Cheese Importers Association Of America Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Cheese Importers Association Of America Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 136162023 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 Cheese Importers Association Of America Inc (CIAA) demonstrates a consistent financial position with assets generally exceeding $1 million over the past decade, reaching $1,078,031 in 2023. However, recent years show a trend of expenses outpacing revenue, with 2023 reporting expenses of $960,414 against revenues of $694,589, and 2022 showing expenses of $970,883 against revenues of $897,548. This indicates a potential reliance on reserves or other income sources to cover operational costs, which could impact long-term sustainability if not addressed.
The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with 13 filings available. A significant positive aspect is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting that executive leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of efficient use of funds. The absence of liabilities in all reported periods also points to sound financial management and a low-risk profile.
While the detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses is not explicitly provided in the summary data, the lack of officer compensation and zero liabilities are strong indicators of financial health and a focus on mission. The recent operating deficits, however, warrant closer examination to ensure the organization's financial model remains viable and that its assets are not being unduly depleted.