Quick charity verification for Chessie Foundation Inc (EIN: 204710139)
Verdict: Chessie Foundation Inc shows mixed signals
45/100Mission Score
$1.4MRevenue
$1.3MAssets
4Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent and significant operating deficits (e.g., 2023 expenses $582,447 vs. revenue $98,308).
Steady decline in assets over recent years (from $3.6M in 2020 to $2.3M in 2023).
Unusual and consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities across multiple years.
Lack of reported officer compensation, which could obscure true leadership costs.
Strengths
Maintains a substantial asset base ($2,391,484 in 2023) despite operating deficits.
Historically low liabilities, consistently reported as $1.
Spending Breakdown
How Chessie Foundation Inc 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 Chessie Foundation Inc
Is Chessie Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Chessie Foundation Inc (EIN: 204710139) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 45/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Chessie Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Chessie Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 45/100. Revenue: $1.4M. Assets: $1.3M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Chessie Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Chessie Foundation Inc is 204710139. 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 Chessie Foundation Inc spend its money?
Chessie Foundation Inc allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Chessie Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Chessie Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 204710139 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 Chessie Foundation Inc. exhibits a concerning trend of significant operating deficits, with expenses consistently exceeding revenue in most recent years. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $582,447 against revenue of $98,308, and in 2022, expenses were $368,647 against revenue of $74,884. This pattern suggests reliance on existing assets or other non-operating income sources to cover costs, which is not sustainable long-term. While the organization maintains substantial assets, reported at $2,391,484 in 2023, these assets have been steadily declining from a high of $3,620,600 in 2020, indicating they are being drawn down to fund operations. The consistent reporting of $1 in liabilities across multiple years is unusual and warrants further investigation into the accuracy of financial reporting or the nature of its financial structure. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests either a volunteer-led organization or that compensation is reported under other expense categories, which could impact transparency regarding leadership costs.