Quick charity verification for Childhood Cancer Lifeline (EIN: 20486350)
Verdict: Childhood Cancer Lifeline appears trustworthy
92/100Mission Score
$130KRevenue
$309KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency.
Healthy asset-to-liability ratio, with assets of $309,397 and minimal liabilities ($1,812 in 202312).
Long history of consistent IRS 990 filings (13 filings), demonstrating transparency.
Generally stable financial operations with revenues covering expenses in most periods.
Strong program focus implied by the lack of executive compensation and lean operations.
Spending Breakdown
How Childhood Cancer Lifeline allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
8%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
2%
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 Childhood Cancer Lifeline
Is Childhood Cancer Lifeline a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Childhood Cancer Lifeline (EIN: 20486350) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 92/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Childhood Cancer Lifeline a good charity to donate to?
Childhood Cancer Lifeline has a Mission Score of 92/100. Revenue: $130K. Assets: $309K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Childhood Cancer Lifeline?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Childhood Cancer Lifeline is 20486350. 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 Childhood Cancer Lifeline spend its money?
Childhood Cancer Lifeline allocates 90% to programs, 8% to administration, and 2% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Childhood Cancer Lifeline's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Childhood Cancer Lifeline's tax-exempt status using EIN 20486350 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
Childhood Cancer Lifeline demonstrates consistent financial stability and a strong commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its IRS 990 filings. The organization consistently maintains healthy asset levels, with the latest reported assets at $309,397, significantly exceeding its minimal liabilities. Revenue has fluctuated but generally covers expenses, with the most recent period (202312) showing revenue of $147,421 against expenses of $139,063, resulting in a surplus. This indicates responsible financial management and the ability to sustain operations.
The organization's spending efficiency is commendable, particularly given its small scale. The absence of reported officer compensation across all available filings is a significant indicator of efficiency and a focus on directing funds towards programmatic activities rather than administrative overhead. This suggests a volunteer-driven or very lean operational model, which is highly beneficial for a nonprofit of this size. The consistent low liabilities further underscore prudent financial practices.
Transparency appears to be a strong suit, with 13 years of consistent IRS 990 filings available. The detailed financial data provided allows for a clear understanding of the organization's income, expenditures, and asset management. The lack of executive compensation also enhances public trust and demonstrates that the organization's resources are primarily dedicated to its charitable purpose.