Quick charity verification for Colorado Film Society (EIN: 201518600)
Verdict: Colorado Film Society appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$806KRevenue
$455KAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Slight deficit in the most recent filing (202305: Expenses $753,482 > Revenue $723,194), though minor in context of overall history.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency and mission focus.
Steady growth in assets over the past decade, from $232,814 in 201412 to $462,820 in 202305.
Very low liabilities across all reporting periods, demonstrating strong financial stability.
Long and consistent IRS 990 filing history (13 filings), indicating transparency and compliance.
Generally positive net income in most years, showing effective financial management.
Spending Breakdown
How Colorado Film Society 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 Colorado Film Society
Is Colorado Film Society a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Colorado Film Society (EIN: 201518600) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Colorado Film Society a good charity to donate to?
Colorado Film Society has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $806K. Assets: $455K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Colorado Film Society?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Colorado Film Society is 201518600. 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 Colorado Film Society spend its money?
Colorado Film Society allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Colorado Film Society's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Colorado Film Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 201518600 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 Colorado Film Society demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues fluctuating but generally staying above expenses in most years, indicating sound operational management. For instance, in 202205, revenue was $989,406 against expenses of $906,724. The organization's assets have shown a steady growth trend over the years, from $232,814 in 201412 to $462,820 in 202305, suggesting good financial stewardship and accumulation of resources. Liabilities have remained very low across all reported periods, often in the thousands, which is a positive indicator of financial stability and minimal debt burden.
Spending efficiency appears strong, particularly given the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, which suggests that resources are primarily directed towards programmatic activities and operational costs rather than executive salaries. While a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't provided in the raw data, the absence of officer compensation is a significant positive for efficiency. The organization's consistent filing history (13 filings) and the detailed financial data provided indicate a commitment to transparency.
Overall, the Colorado Film Society appears to be a financially healthy and well-managed organization. Its ability to maintain positive net assets, control liabilities, and consistently operate without executive compensation points to a strong focus on its mission and efficient use of donor funds. The slight deficit in 202305 (Revenue $723,194 vs. Expenses $753,482) is a minor fluctuation in an otherwise stable financial history.