Quick charity verification for Chicagofirst Association (EIN: 202787459)
Verdict: Chicagofirst Association appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$618KRevenue
$1.5MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data, making precise efficiency analysis difficult.
Strengths
Consistent revenue growth, increasing from $499,573 in 2014 to $605,016 in 2023.
Significant asset accumulation, growing from $190,002 in 2014 to $1,327,857 in 2023.
Expenses consistently lower than revenue, indicating sound financial management (e.g., 2023 expenses $441,565 vs. revenue $605,016).
No reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting high efficiency in leadership costs.
Healthy asset-to-liability ratio, with assets ($1,327,857 in 2023) significantly exceeding liabilities ($325,925 in 2023).
Spending Breakdown
How Chicagofirst Association 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 Chicagofirst Association
Is Chicagofirst Association a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Chicagofirst Association (EIN: 202787459) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Chicagofirst Association a good charity to donate to?
Chicagofirst Association has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $618K. Assets: $1.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Chicagofirst Association?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Chicagofirst Association is 202787459. 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 Chicagofirst Association spend its money?
Chicagofirst Association allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Chicagofirst Association's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Chicagofirst Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 202787459 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
Chicagofirst Association demonstrates a consistent pattern of financial growth and prudent management over the past decade. Revenue has steadily increased from $499,573 in 2014 to $605,016 in 2023, while assets have grown significantly from $190,002 to $1,327,857 in the same period, indicating strong financial health and accumulation of resources. The organization consistently spends less than its revenue, as seen in 2023 where expenses were $441,565 against $605,016 in revenue, allowing for asset growth and a healthy reserve.
The organization's spending efficiency appears strong, with a notable absence of officer compensation reported across all filings, suggesting that leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation on the 990, which can contribute to lower administrative overhead. The consistent growth in assets relative to liabilities also points to a well-managed balance sheet. While specific program spending percentages are not detailed in the provided data, the overall financial trajectory suggests a stable and growing organization.
Transparency is generally good given the consistent filing history. The lack of reported officer compensation is a key transparency point, indicating either volunteer leadership or a structure that minimizes executive pay from the organization's direct funds. Further detail on the allocation of expenses (program vs. admin vs. fundraising) would enhance the transparency assessment, but the available data points to a financially sound and responsibly managed entity.