Maintains zero liabilities across all reported periods, demonstrating strong financial management of debt.
Possesses a substantial asset base (over $15 million) providing financial stability and capacity.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history (13 filings) indicates good transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Chicago Friends Of The Elderlyfoundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Chicago Friends Of The Elderlyfoundation
Is Chicago Friends Of The Elderlyfoundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Chicago Friends Of The Elderlyfoundation (EIN: 208538729) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 80/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Chicago Friends Of The Elderlyfoundation a good charity to donate to?
Chicago Friends Of The Elderlyfoundation has a Mission Score of 80/100. Revenue: $512K. Assets: $15.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Chicago Friends Of The Elderlyfoundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Chicago Friends Of The Elderlyfoundation is 208538729. 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 Friends Of The Elderlyfoundation spend its money?
Chicago Friends Of The Elderlyfoundation allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Chicago Friends Of The Elderlyfoundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Chicago Friends Of The Elderlyfoundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 208538729 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 Friends Of The Elderlyfoundation demonstrates a mixed financial picture. While the organization consistently reports zero liabilities and no officer compensation, indicating good financial hygiene and a commitment to volunteer leadership, its revenue and expense patterns show significant volatility. For instance, in 2023, expenses ($1,899,937) far outstripped revenue ($671,979), leading to a substantial deficit. This contrasts sharply with 2021, where revenue ($916,474) significantly exceeded expenses ($35,154). This inconsistency in financial performance, particularly the large swings in expenses relative to revenue, could raise questions about long-term financial planning and sustainability, despite the substantial asset base of over $15 million.
The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods, providing a comprehensive historical record. The absence of officer compensation is a strong positive indicator of transparency and a focus on mission over executive pay. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses within the provided data, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency beyond the top-line figures. The large asset base, particularly the $15,647,681 reported, provides a significant buffer, but the recent trend of expenses exceeding revenue, as seen in 2023, warrants closer examination to ensure the organization is not drawing down its reserves unsustainably.