Quick charity verification for Colleges That Change Lives Inc (EIN: 204269017)
Verdict: Colleges That Change Lives Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$1.0MRevenue
$403KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Recent deficit in 202309 where expenses ($745,087) exceeded revenue ($710,824)
Fluctuating annual revenues and expenses, indicating potential instability in funding or operational costs.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of zero liabilities across all 13 filings, indicating strong financial management and no debt.
No reported officer compensation, suggesting a lean administrative structure or volunteer leadership.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 periods), demonstrating transparency and compliance.
Assets consistently maintained above $100,000 for most periods, providing some financial cushion.
Spending Breakdown
How Colleges That Change Lives 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
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 Colleges That Change Lives Inc
Is Colleges That Change Lives Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Colleges That Change Lives Inc (EIN: 204269017) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Colleges That Change Lives Inc a good charity to donate to?
Colleges That Change Lives Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $1.0M. Assets: $403K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Colleges That Change Lives Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Colleges That Change Lives Inc is 204269017. 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 Colleges That Change Lives Inc spend its money?
Colleges That Change Lives Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Colleges That Change Lives Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Colleges That Change Lives Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 204269017 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
Colleges That Change Lives Inc. demonstrates a generally stable financial position, though with some fluctuations in recent years. In the latest reported period (202309), the organization experienced a deficit, with expenses of $745,087 exceeding revenue of $710,824. This follows a surplus in the prior period (202209) where revenue was $745,139 against expenses of $678,061. The organization's assets have shown some volatility, decreasing from $137,836 in 202209 to $103,573 in 202309, but overall remain modest relative to its revenue. A notable positive is the consistent reporting of zero liabilities across all available filings, indicating a healthy balance sheet free from debt.
The organization's transparency is strong, as evidenced by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods and the clear reporting of financial data. The absence of officer compensation reported in any of the filings suggests that executive leadership may be volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as officer compensation, which can be a positive indicator for donor confidence regarding administrative costs. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency beyond the overall revenue and expense figures. The NTEE code B990 (Higher Education Institutions, Not Elsewhere Classified) aligns with its mission, suggesting a focused program area.