Quick charity verification for China Region Lakes Alliance (EIN: 10498816)
Verdict: China Region Lakes Alliance appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$28KRevenue
$64KAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeded revenue in 2023 ($108,668 vs. $89,655), indicating a net operating loss for the year.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating efficient use of funds at the executive level.
Very low liabilities ($365 in 2023), suggesting strong financial management and minimal debt.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history (16 filings), demonstrating commitment to transparency.
Assets have shown growth over recent years, from $53,975 in 2020 to $106,716 in 2023.
Spending Breakdown
How China Region Lakes Alliance 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 Region Lakes Alliance
Is China Region Lakes Alliance a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, China Region Lakes Alliance (EIN: 10498816) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is China Region Lakes Alliance a good charity to donate to?
China Region Lakes Alliance has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $28K. Assets: $64K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for China Region Lakes Alliance?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for China Region Lakes Alliance is 10498816. 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 Region Lakes Alliance spend its money?
China Region Lakes Alliance allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify China Region Lakes Alliance's tax-exempt status?
You can verify China Region Lakes Alliance's tax-exempt status using EIN 10498816 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 Region Lakes Alliance demonstrates a generally stable financial history, though recent filings show some fluctuations. In 2023, the organization reported expenses exceeding revenue ($108,668 vs. $89,655), leading to a net deficit for the year. This contrasts with 2022, where revenue significantly outpaced expenses ($162,122 vs. $116,669). The organization's assets have shown growth over the past few years, reaching $106,716 in 2023, up from $53,975 in 2020, indicating some financial resilience. Liabilities remain very low, at $365 in 2023, which is a positive indicator of financial health and low debt burden.
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting a volunteer-led or very lean executive structure, which can be a sign of efficient use of donor funds. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses beyond total revenue and expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency across programs, administration, and fundraising. The NTEE code C30 (Environmental Protection & Conservation) suggests a clear mission focus, and the consistent filing of IRS 990s indicates a commitment to transparency, even if detailed expense categories are not provided in this summary data.