Significant expense exceeding revenue in 2022 ($409,166 expenses vs. $150,085 revenue), though this was an anomaly.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong commitment to mission.
Strong asset growth from $63,989 in 2019 to $871,028 in 2023, enhancing financial stability.
Generally healthy revenue-to-expense ratio, with a strong rebound in 2023 ($701,232 revenue vs. $649,327 expenses).
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), demonstrating transparency and accountability.
Spending Breakdown
How Commonwealth Housing Legal Services 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 Commonwealth Housing Legal Services
Is Commonwealth Housing Legal Services a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Commonwealth Housing Legal Services (EIN: 141987666) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Commonwealth Housing Legal Services a good charity to donate to?
Commonwealth Housing Legal Services has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $849K. Assets: $1.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Commonwealth Housing Legal Services?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Commonwealth Housing Legal Services is 141987666. 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 Commonwealth Housing Legal Services spend its money?
Commonwealth Housing Legal Services allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Commonwealth Housing Legal Services's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Commonwealth Housing Legal Services's tax-exempt status using EIN 141987666 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
Commonwealth Housing Legal Services demonstrates a fluctuating but generally positive financial trajectory, with recent revenue in 2023 reaching $701,232 and assets growing to $871,028. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a strong indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries. While the organization experienced a significant expense exceeding revenue in 2022 ($409,166 expenses vs. $150,085 revenue), it rebounded strongly in 2023 with revenue comfortably exceeding expenses ($701,232 vs. $649,327). This suggests effective financial management in adapting to varying operational demands.
The organization's spending efficiency appears to be reasonable, especially given the legal services nature of its work, which often involves significant program costs. The consistent lack of reported officer compensation enhances its financial health and public trust. The growth in assets from $63,989 in 2019 to $871,028 in 2023 indicates a healthy accumulation of resources, providing a stronger financial foundation for future operations. The organization's transparency is further bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS 990 forms over 13 periods, allowing for public scrutiny of its financial activities.