Quick charity verification for Columbia University Club Foundation Inc (EIN: 136105775)
Verdict: Columbia University Club Foundation Inc shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$946KRevenue
$1.8MAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operational deficits (e.g., $112,086 expenses vs. $100,371 revenue in 2023)
Revenue has generally declined over the past decade, from $209,193 in 2015 to $100,371 in 2023
Reliance on drawing down assets to cover expenses
Strengths
Substantial and stable asset base (consistently around $1.8 million)
No reported officer compensation, indicating volunteer leadership or highly efficient compensation practices
Long history of IRS 990 filings, demonstrating transparency
Spending Breakdown
How Columbia University Club Foundation Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 University Club Foundation Inc
Is Columbia University Club Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Columbia University Club Foundation Inc (EIN: 136105775) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Columbia University Club Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Columbia University Club Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $946K. Assets: $1.8M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Columbia University Club Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Columbia University Club Foundation Inc is 136105775. 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 University Club Foundation Inc spend its money?
Columbia University Club Foundation Inc allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Columbia University Club Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Columbia University Club Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 136105775 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 University Club Foundation Inc. appears to be a financially stable organization, primarily due to its substantial asset base, which has consistently hovered around $1.8 million to $1.9 million over the past decade. Despite this stability, the organization has consistently operated at a deficit in recent years, with expenses exceeding revenue. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $112,086 against revenues of $100,371, and similar trends are observed in 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2013. This suggests that the organization is drawing down on its assets or relying on prior period surpluses to cover operational costs, rather than generating sufficient revenue from its current activities.
The organization's spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent operational deficits raise questions about the long-term sustainability of its current financial model if it continues to spend more than it earns. The lack of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a potential reliance on volunteer leadership, which can be a positive sign of efficiency and dedication. Transparency is generally good given the availability of 990 filings, but more granular expense data would enhance understanding of its spending priorities.