Is Commonspace Legit?

Strengths

Consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $1,163,183 in 2014 to $2,696,064 in 2023.
Substantial asset growth, from $157,497 in 2014 to $1,338,073 in 2023, indicating increasing capacity.
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, demonstrating strong financial transparency and potentially high resource allocation to mission.
Positive net assets (Assets exceeding Liabilities) in most years, indicating solvency.

Spending Breakdown

How Commonspace allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

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 Commonspace

Is Commonspace a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Commonspace (EIN: 10500860) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.

Is Commonspace a good charity to donate to?

Commonspace has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $3.6M. Assets: $1.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Commonspace?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Commonspace is 10500860. 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 Commonspace spend its money?

Commonspace allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Commonspace's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Commonspace's tax-exempt status using EIN 10500860 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

Commonspace demonstrates consistent growth in revenue and assets over the past decade, indicating a stable and expanding organization. For instance, revenue grew from $1,163,183 in 2014 to $2,696,064 in 2023, and assets increased from $157,497 to $1,338,073 in the same period. The organization's financial health appears generally sound, though it has experienced periods where expenses exceeded revenue, such as in 2023 ($2,861,305 expenses vs. $2,696,064 revenue) and 2022 ($2,564,920 expenses vs. $2,453,607 revenue). This suggests a need for careful management of expenditures to maintain long-term sustainability.

The organization's transparency is high regarding executive compensation, as all filings consistently report 0% officer compensation. This indicates that the highest-ranking individuals are either volunteers or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is a positive sign for donor confidence. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The significant increase in liabilities from $71,278 in 2015 to $1,325,007 in 2023, alongside asset growth, warrants further investigation to understand the nature of these liabilities and their impact on financial stability.

Overall, Commonspace appears to be a growing organization with a strong commitment to transparency regarding executive pay. Its financial health is generally positive, supported by increasing assets, but the recent trend of expenses exceeding revenue and the substantial rise in liabilities suggest areas for closer financial scrutiny and strategic planning to ensure continued operational efficiency and long-term solvency. The lack of reported officer compensation is a notable strength in terms of public trust.

Verdict: Commonspace appears trustworthy

Red Flags