Is Cognia Inc Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Cognia 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 Cognia Inc

Is Cognia Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Cognia Inc (EIN: 208613765) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 1 red flag identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Cognia Inc a good charity to donate to?

Cognia Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $135.8M. Assets: $104.5M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Cognia Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Cognia Inc is 208613765. 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 Cognia Inc spend its money?

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

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

You can verify Cognia Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 208613765 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

Cognia Inc, operating out of Alpharetta, GA, demonstrates a consistent operational pattern with revenues generally exceeding or closely matching expenses over the past decade, indicating a stable financial footing. For instance, in the latest period (202306), the organization reported revenues of $124,301,623 against expenses of $136,380,801, showing a slight deficit. However, its assets have steadily grown, reaching $102,456,937 in 202306, suggesting good asset management. The organization's NTEE code B03 indicates a focus on education, and its financial activities align with a large, established educational services provider. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a notable aspect of its transparency and compensation structure, suggesting that executive compensation is either not reported in this section or is structured differently, which warrants further investigation for a complete picture of executive pay practices.

While the organization's revenue has seen significant growth, particularly between 2018 and 2019 (from $34.6M to $88.7M), its expenses have largely kept pace, indicating expansion in its programs or operations. The liabilities have fluctuated but remain manageable relative to assets, with a liabilities-to-assets ratio of approximately 0.69 in 202306 ($71,251,747 / $102,456,937). This ratio, while not excessively high, suggests a reliance on debt or other obligations. The absence of reported officer compensation in the provided data is a significant point for transparency, as it could either mean executives are unpaid, or their compensation is categorized differently, which could obscure a full understanding of administrative costs. Overall, Cognia Inc appears to be a financially stable and growing entity within the education sector, but further detail on executive compensation and a more granular breakdown of expenses would enhance transparency.

Verdict: Cognia Inc appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths