NTEE code is unknown, making it difficult to benchmark against similar organizations.
Strengths
Strong and growing asset base ($33.1 million latest assets)
Consistently low liabilities (often $1 across filings)
0% reported officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for mission
Consistent distribution of funds, often exceeding annual revenue, demonstrating active mission fulfillment
Long history of stable financial operations (10 years of filings provided)
Spending Breakdown
How Cogswell Benevolent Trust allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
8%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
2%
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 Cogswell Benevolent Trust
Is Cogswell Benevolent Trust a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Cogswell Benevolent Trust (EIN: 20235690) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Cogswell Benevolent Trust a good charity to donate to?
Cogswell Benevolent Trust has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $18.5M. Assets: $33.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Cogswell Benevolent Trust?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Cogswell Benevolent Trust is 20235690. 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 Cogswell Benevolent Trust spend its money?
Cogswell Benevolent Trust allocates 90% to programs, 8% to administration, and 2% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Cogswell Benevolent Trust's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Cogswell Benevolent Trust's tax-exempt status using EIN 20235690 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 Cogswell Benevolent Trust appears to be a well-managed organization with a strong financial foundation, consistently maintaining substantial assets relative to its annual expenses. Over the past decade, its assets have grown from $25.4 million in 2011 to $31.8 million in 2023, indicating prudent financial stewardship. The trust consistently reports minimal liabilities, often just $1, which suggests excellent financial health and a low-risk profile. While the NTEE code is unknown, the consistent pattern of expenses being close to or exceeding revenue in several years (e.g., 2023: Revenue $1.6M, Expenses $2.6M; 2022: Revenue $1.4M, Expenses $2.2M) suggests that the organization is actively distributing funds, likely from its endowment, to fulfill its benevolent mission rather than solely relying on annual contributions to cover expenses. This is typical for a trust or foundation model.