Quick charity verification for City Mission Society Inc (EIN: 160743965)
Verdict: City Mission Society Inc appears trustworthy
80/100Mission Score
$9.6MRevenue
$27.2MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is highly unusual for an organization of this scale.
Significant operating deficit in the latest 202309 period ($2.1 million), reversing a trend of surpluses.
Fluctuating revenues, with a notable drop from $15.9 million in 202209 to $9.2 million in 202309.
Strengths
Strong asset base ($27,982,489 in 202309) providing financial stability and reserves.
Historically strong program spending, indicating a focus on mission delivery.
Low liabilities relative to assets in most periods, suggesting good financial management.
Spending Breakdown
How City Mission Society 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 City Mission Society Inc
Is City Mission Society Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, City Mission Society Inc (EIN: 160743965) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 80/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is City Mission Society Inc a good charity to donate to?
City Mission Society Inc has a Mission Score of 80/100. Revenue: $9.6M. Assets: $27.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for City Mission Society Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for City Mission Society Inc is 160743965. 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 Mission Society Inc spend its money?
City Mission Society Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify City Mission Society Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify City Mission Society Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 160743965 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 Mission Society Inc demonstrates a generally stable financial position with significant assets relative to its annual expenses. In the latest 202309 period, the organization reported assets of $27,982,489 against expenses of $11,384,593, indicating a strong reserve. However, the 202309 period also showed expenses exceeding revenue by over $2 million ($11,384,593 in expenses vs. $9,277,603 in revenue), which is a notable shift from the previous year's surplus of over $5 million. This recent deficit warrants closer examination to understand if it's a one-off event or a trend.
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size with annual expenses exceeding $10 million. While this could indicate a volunteer-led executive team, it also raises questions about the transparency of leadership compensation if it's being reported under other expense categories or if key leadership roles are genuinely unpaid. This lack of reported executive compensation, while seemingly positive, can sometimes obscure the true cost of leadership and operational overhead. The NTEE code P200 suggests a focus on housing and shelter, which typically involves significant program delivery costs.