Quick charity verification for Cheshire Fire Departmentincorporated (EIN: 204239210)
Verdict: Cheshire Fire Departmentincorporated appears trustworthy
88/100Mission Score
$104KRevenue
$287KAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data, limiting granular efficiency analysis.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of zero liabilities across all filings, indicating strong fiscal management.
Healthy asset base significantly exceeding annual expenses, providing financial stability.
Consistent 0% officer compensation, suggesting high dedication of funds to mission-related activities.
Long and consistent IRS 990 filing history (14 filings), demonstrating commitment to transparency and accountability.
Recent periods (2024, 2023, 2021, 2020, 2018) show revenue exceeding expenses, contributing to financial growth.
Spending Breakdown
How Cheshire Fire Departmentincorporated allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
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 Cheshire Fire Departmentincorporated
Is Cheshire Fire Departmentincorporated a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Cheshire Fire Departmentincorporated (EIN: 204239210) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 88/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Cheshire Fire Departmentincorporated a good charity to donate to?
Cheshire Fire Departmentincorporated has a Mission Score of 88/100. Revenue: $104K. Assets: $287K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Cheshire Fire Departmentincorporated?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Cheshire Fire Departmentincorporated is 204239210. 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 Cheshire Fire Departmentincorporated spend its money?
Cheshire Fire Departmentincorporated allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Cheshire Fire Departmentincorporated's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Cheshire Fire Departmentincorporated's tax-exempt status using EIN 204239210 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
Cheshire Fire Departmentincorporated demonstrates consistent financial stability with a healthy asset base relative to its annual revenue. Over the past several years, the organization has maintained assets significantly higher than its annual expenses, indicating a strong financial cushion. For instance, in 2024, assets were $260,141 against expenses of $56,293. The organization consistently reports zero liabilities, which is a strong indicator of fiscal prudence and low financial risk. Revenue and expenses have fluctuated but generally remain within a sustainable range, with recent periods showing revenue exceeding expenses, contributing to asset growth.
The organization's spending efficiency appears strong, particularly given its mission as a fire department, which often involves significant operational costs. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests that leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not reported as officer compensation, which can be a positive sign for donor confidence. Without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise efficiency ratio is difficult to ascertain, but the overall financial health appears robust.
Transparency is generally good through its consistent 990 filings. The absence of liabilities and officer compensation are positive transparency indicators. However, a more detailed breakdown of functional expenses (program, administrative, fundraising) within the 990s would further enhance transparency and allow for a more granular assessment of spending efficiency. The organization's consistent filing history over 14 periods also speaks to its commitment to public accountability.