Is Climate Registry Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Climate Registry 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 Climate Registry

Is Climate Registry a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Climate Registry (EIN: 208728170) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Climate Registry a good charity to donate to?

Climate Registry has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $2.5M. Assets: $1.6M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Climate Registry?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Climate Registry is 208728170. 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 Climate Registry spend its money?

Climate Registry allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Climate Registry's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Climate Registry's tax-exempt status using EIN 208728170 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 Climate Registry demonstrates a generally stable financial position over the past decade, with revenues consistently exceeding expenses in most years, leading to a growth in assets from $703,867 in 2014 to $2,177,220 in 2023. However, the most recent filing (202312) shows a significant deficit, with expenses of $3,305,008 exceeding revenue of $2,156,147, which warrants closer examination. This recent spending surge led to a decrease in assets from $2,873,807 in 2022 to $2,177,220 in 2023, and an increase in liabilities from $777,321 to $1,229,595.

The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with 13 filings available, indicating a commitment to public disclosure. The reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a notable positive, suggesting resources are not being disproportionately allocated to executive salaries. While the specific breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't directly provided in the summary data, the overall financial trends suggest a focus on mission, though the recent deficit is a concern for spending efficiency.

Overall, The Climate Registry appears to be a well-established organization with a history of sound financial management, but the substantial deficit in the latest fiscal year is a significant deviation from its historical trend and should be monitored. The lack of reported officer compensation is a strong indicator of good governance and a focus on mission over executive pay.

Verdict: Climate Registry appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths