Is City Lore Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for City Lore Inc (EIN: 112740189)

Verdict: City Lore Inc appears trustworthy

75/100Mission Score

$3.8MRevenue

$3.1MAssets

3Red Flags

3Strengths

Red Flags

Significant deficit in the most recent fiscal year (202312) where expenses exceeded revenue by $579,512.
Substantial increase in liabilities from $114,680 in 202112 to $1,650,488 in 202312, which could indicate increased debt or financial obligations.
Consistent 0% reported officer compensation, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size and could mask executive compensation if structured differently.

Strengths

Strong asset base, growing from $1,277,224 in 201412 to $3,405,216 in 202312, indicating financial resilience.
History of multi-million dollar revenues, demonstrating capacity to attract significant funding.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, suggesting a potential commitment to directing funds towards mission-related activities.

Spending Breakdown

How City Lore Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 City Lore Inc

Is City Lore Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, City Lore Inc (EIN: 112740189) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is City Lore Inc a good charity to donate to?

City Lore Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $3.8M. Assets: $3.1M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for City Lore Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for City Lore Inc is 112740189. 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 City Lore Inc spend its money?

City Lore Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify City Lore Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify City Lore Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 112740189 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

City Lore Inc. demonstrates a generally stable financial history, with revenues fluctuating but maintaining a multi-million dollar scale. In the most recent filing (202312), the organization reported expenses exceeding revenue by approximately $579,512 ($3,348,649 in expenses vs. $2,769,137 in revenue), indicating a deficit for that period. However, this follows a surplus in 202212 where revenue exceeded expenses by over $540,000. The organization's assets have shown significant growth over the past decade, from $1,277,224 in 201412 to $3,405,216 in 202312, although there was a dip from $4,002,789 in 202212. Liabilities have also increased substantially in recent years, reaching $1,650,488 in 202312, which is a notable increase from earlier periods where liabilities were typically under $200,000. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a high degree of transparency regarding executive pay, or that compensation is structured in a way that it is not reported as officer compensation on these specific forms, which warrants further investigation for a complete picture.

Spending efficiency appears to be a mixed bag. While the organization has managed significant programming, the recent deficit in 202312 and the increase in liabilities suggest a need for careful financial management moving forward. The absence of reported officer compensation on the 990s is a positive indicator for resource allocation towards mission, assuming key personnel are compensated appropriately through other means or volunteer their time. The organization's ability to maintain substantial assets despite revenue fluctuations points to some financial resilience.

Transparency is strong in the area of executive compensation, with 0% reported officer compensation. However, the significant increase in liabilities in recent years, particularly from 202112 ($114,680) to 202212 ($1,670,512) and 202312 ($1,650,488), could raise questions about the nature of these liabilities and their impact on the organization's long-term financial stability. Further detail on the composition of these liabilities would enhance transparency.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.