Unusually low reported liabilities relative to assets in some years (e.g., $205,368 liabilities vs $11,693,384 assets in 2021), which could indicate strong financial health but also warrants understanding of their operational funding model.
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is atypical for an organization of this size and could mask executive benefits or compensation categorized differently.
Strengths
Consistent and significant asset growth over the past decade, from $6.7M in 2014 to $14.3M in 2023.
Revenue generally exceeds expenses, leading to healthy surpluses and financial stability.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating a strong commitment to directing funds to mission.
Healthy financial reserves, with assets significantly outweighing liabilities (e.g., $14,357,467 assets vs $1,953,607 liabilities in 2023).
Long filing history (13 filings) demonstrating sustained operations and transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How Citizens Budget Commission Inc 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 Citizens Budget Commission Inc
Is Citizens Budget Commission Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Citizens Budget Commission Inc (EIN: 130576141) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Citizens Budget Commission Inc a good charity to donate to?
Citizens Budget Commission Inc has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $17.3M. Assets: $15.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Citizens Budget Commission Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Citizens Budget Commission Inc is 130576141. 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 Citizens Budget Commission Inc spend its money?
Citizens Budget Commission Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Citizens Budget Commission Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Citizens Budget Commission Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 130576141 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
Citizens Budget Commission Inc demonstrates a consistent pattern of financial growth and prudent management over the past decade. The organization has steadily increased its assets from $6,788,049 in 2014 to $14,357,467 in 2023, indicating strong financial health and accumulation of reserves. Revenue has generally outpaced expenses in most years, contributing to this asset growth. For instance, in 2023, revenue was $3,603,182 against expenses of $3,127,974, resulting in a surplus.
The organization's spending efficiency appears sound, with a clear focus on its mission as indicated by the NTEE code W06Z (Public Policy Research). The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a significant positive indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing resources towards programmatic activities rather than executive salaries. This practice enhances public trust and suggests a lean operational structure at the top.
Overall, Citizens Budget Commission Inc exhibits strong financial stewardship, a healthy balance sheet, and a commendable level of transparency regarding executive compensation. Their consistent growth in assets and revenue, coupled with efficient expense management, positions them as a financially stable and well-managed nonprofit.