Quick charity verification for China Lake Association (EIN: 10450868)
Verdict: China Lake Association appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$108KRevenue
$180KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Strong financial health with significant surplus ($84,253 revenue vs. $26,473 expenses in 2023).
Consistent asset growth (from $123,304 in 2023 to $179,960 currently).
No reported officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds.
Low expense ratio relative to revenue, suggesting high spending efficiency.
Healthy balance sheet with assets significantly exceeding liabilities ($179,960 assets vs. $18 liabilities in 2023).
Spending Breakdown
How China Lake Association 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 China Lake Association
Is China Lake Association a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, China Lake Association (EIN: 10450868) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is China Lake Association a good charity to donate to?
China Lake Association has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $108K. Assets: $180K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for China Lake Association?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for China Lake Association is 10450868. 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 China Lake Association spend its money?
China Lake Association allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify China Lake Association's tax-exempt status?
You can verify China Lake Association's tax-exempt status using EIN 10450868 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
The China Lake Association appears to be in sound financial health based on its latest available IRS 990 data. In the 2023 fiscal period, the organization reported revenues of $84,253 against expenses of $26,473, indicating a significant surplus that contributed to an increase in assets from $123,304 to $179,960. This growth in assets suggests effective financial management and a healthy reserve. The organization's spending efficiency is commendable, with a substantial portion of its expenses likely directed towards its programs, given the low overall expense total relative to revenue. The absence of reported officer compensation further enhances its financial efficiency and transparency.
The organization's financial position is robust, with assets significantly exceeding liabilities, indicating strong solvency. The consistent growth in assets from the 2023 period to the latest reported assets of $179,960, alongside the latest revenue of $107,602, suggests a stable and growing financial base. The lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes a precise assessment of program versus administrative spending challenging, but the overall low expense ratio is a positive indicator. The absence of officer compensation reported in the 2023 filing is a strong positive for transparency and efficient use of funds.