Quick charity verification for Chicago Fair Trade (EIN: 20776317)
Verdict: Chicago Fair Trade appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$506KRevenue
$81KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth over a decade, from $58,101 in 2013 to $250,762 in 2023.
Zero officer compensation reported across all 12 available IRS 990 filings.
Healthy asset growth, from $6,057 in 2013 to $109,920 in 2023.
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating transparency.
Relatively low liabilities compared to assets, indicating sound financial management.
Spending Breakdown
How Chicago Fair Trade 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 Chicago Fair Trade
Is Chicago Fair Trade a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Chicago Fair Trade (EIN: 20776317) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Chicago Fair Trade a good charity to donate to?
Chicago Fair Trade has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $506K. Assets: $81K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Chicago Fair Trade?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Chicago Fair Trade is 20776317. 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 Chicago Fair Trade spend its money?
Chicago Fair Trade allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Chicago Fair Trade's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Chicago Fair Trade's tax-exempt status using EIN 20776317 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
Chicago Fair Trade demonstrates a generally stable financial trajectory, with revenues showing consistent growth over the past decade, from $58,101 in 2013 to $250,762 in 2023. While the organization experienced a slight deficit in 2023, with expenses exceeding revenue by approximately $19,000, this appears to be an anomaly in a trend of positive net income in recent years (e.g., $40,275 surplus in 2022). The organization's assets have also grown significantly, from $6,057 in 2013 to $109,920 in 2023, indicating a healthy accumulation of resources.
Spending efficiency appears strong, particularly given the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting that resources are primarily directed towards programmatic activities and operational costs rather than executive salaries. The organization's liabilities remain relatively low compared to its assets, indicating good financial management. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 12 periods demonstrates a commitment to transparency and accountability.
Overall, Chicago Fair Trade exhibits sound financial health with a clear growth pattern and responsible management of its resources. The absence of officer compensation is a significant positive indicator of its dedication to its mission.