Quick charity verification for Childrens Shelter (EIN: 204704216)
Verdict: Childrens Shelter appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$2KRevenue
$11KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Dramatic and unexplained drop in latest reported revenue to $2,118 from previous six-figure levels.
Expenses ($173,526 in 2022) frequently exceed revenue (e.g., $148,493 in 2022), leading to net asset depletion over time.
Strengths
Consistent history of IRS 990 filings, demonstrating transparency.
0% officer compensation reported across all available periods, indicating efficient use of funds for leadership.
Maintained positive net assets for most of the reported period, indicating financial stability despite fluctuations.
Spending Breakdown
How Childrens Shelter 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 Shelter
Is Childrens Shelter a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Childrens Shelter (EIN: 204704216) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Childrens Shelter a good charity to donate to?
Childrens Shelter has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $2K. Assets: $11K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Childrens Shelter?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Childrens Shelter is 204704216. 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 Shelter spend its money?
Childrens Shelter allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Childrens Shelter's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Childrens Shelter's tax-exempt status using EIN 204704216 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 Shelter appears to be a small, community-focused organization based on its consistent revenue and asset levels over the past decade, typically ranging from $150,000 to $280,000 in annual revenue. The organization has maintained a relatively stable financial position, with assets generally exceeding liabilities. For instance, in 2022, assets were $120,601 against liabilities of $5,607, indicating a healthy balance sheet. However, the latest reported revenue of $2,118 is a significant drop from previous years, which warrants further investigation to understand if this is an anomaly or a new trend.
Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed functional expense breakdown (program, administrative, fundraising) from the provided data. However, the organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which suggests that executive costs are either very low or covered by other means, potentially indicating a volunteer-driven leadership structure. This can be a positive sign for donor confidence, as more funds are likely directed towards the mission rather than high salaries.
In terms of transparency, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 12 periods demonstrates a commitment to public disclosure. The absence of officer compensation is a transparent practice. However, the dramatic decrease in the latest reported revenue to $2,118 from previous years' six-figure revenues is a significant financial event that would require more detailed explanation to fully understand the organization's current operational status and financial health.