Quick charity verification for Childrens Imagination Station (EIN: 200500812)
Verdict: Childrens Imagination Station appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$691KRevenue
$488KAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Recent deficit in 2023 ($692,771 expenses vs. $624,477 revenue)
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported across all filings
Zero liabilities reported consistently, indicating strong financial health
Healthy and growing asset base, reaching $491,329 in 2023
Strong surplus in 2022 ($872,380 revenue vs. $592,658 expenses)
Consistent IRS 990 filing history over 13 periods demonstrates transparency
Spending Breakdown
How Childrens Imagination Station 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 Childrens Imagination Station
Is Childrens Imagination Station a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Childrens Imagination Station (EIN: 200500812) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Childrens Imagination Station a good charity to donate to?
Childrens Imagination Station has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $691K. Assets: $488K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Childrens Imagination Station?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Childrens Imagination Station is 200500812. 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 Childrens Imagination Station spend its money?
Childrens Imagination Station allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Childrens Imagination Station's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Childrens Imagination Station's tax-exempt status using EIN 200500812 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
Childrens Imagination Station demonstrates a generally stable financial position with consistent revenue streams over the past decade, averaging around $500,000-$600,000 annually. While the organization experienced a deficit in 2023, with expenses of $692,771 exceeding revenue of $624,477, this follows a strong surplus in 2022 where revenue significantly outpaced expenses ($872,380 vs. $592,658). The organization consistently reports zero liabilities, indicating a healthy balance sheet and responsible financial management. Their assets have shown growth, particularly a notable increase from $279,901 in 2021 to $559,623 in 2022, before a slight dip to $491,329 in 2023.
Spending efficiency appears to be a strength, as the organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting that resources are directed towards programs and operational needs rather than high executive salaries. This commitment to minimizing administrative overhead is a positive indicator for donors. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods also reflects a strong commitment to transparency.
Overall, Childrens Imagination Station appears to be a financially sound organization with a good track record of managing its resources effectively and transparently. The recent deficit in 2023 should be monitored, but given the prior year's surplus and zero liabilities, it does not immediately signal a severe financial issue. Their consistent asset growth and lack of debt are strong positive indicators.