Quick charity verification for Columbia Falls Food Bank (EIN: 205725475)
Verdict: Columbia Falls Food Bank appears trustworthy
98/100Mission Score
$336KRevenue
$535KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Zero officer compensation, indicating volunteer leadership and high efficiency.
Strong program spending ratio, with nearly all expenses directed to mission-related activities.
Consistent and significant revenue growth over the past five years, reflecting strong community support.
Healthy asset base ($500,285 in 2023) with minimal liabilities, indicating financial stability.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history, demonstrating transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Columbia Falls Food Bank allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
95%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Columbia Falls Food Bank
Is Columbia Falls Food Bank a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Columbia Falls Food Bank (EIN: 205725475) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 98/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Columbia Falls Food Bank a good charity to donate to?
Columbia Falls Food Bank has a Mission Score of 98/100. Revenue: $336K. Assets: $535K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Columbia Falls Food Bank?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Columbia Falls Food Bank is 205725475. 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 Columbia Falls Food Bank spend its money?
Columbia Falls Food Bank allocates 95% to programs, 5% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Columbia Falls Food Bank's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Columbia Falls Food Bank's tax-exempt status using EIN 205725475 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 Columbia Falls Food Bank demonstrates strong financial health and a clear commitment to its mission. Over the past five years, the organization has seen significant growth in revenue, from $55,233 in 2019 to $306,710 in 2023, indicating increasing community support. Expenses have also grown proportionally, suggesting an expansion of services. The food bank consistently maintains a healthy asset base, reaching $500,285 in 2023, with minimal liabilities, indicating sound financial management and stability.
The organization exhibits excellent spending efficiency, with program expenses consistently forming the vast majority of total expenditures. For instance, in 2023, with expenses of $260,385, the proportion dedicated to programs appears very high given the zero officer compensation reported across all filings. This suggests that nearly all funds are directly channeled into food distribution and related services. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings is a significant indicator of volunteer-driven leadership, further enhancing its efficiency and demonstrating a strong commitment to maximizing direct program impact.
Transparency is high, as evidenced by consistent IRS 990 filings and the clear financial picture presented. The lack of officer compensation is a particularly strong point for transparency and public trust, as it indicates that leadership is not drawing salaries from the organization's funds. The consistent growth in assets without accumulating significant liabilities further underscores responsible stewardship of donor contributions.