Is Community Foundation For South Central New York Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Community Foundation For South Central New York Inc (EIN: 161512085)
Verdict: Community Foundation For South Central New York Inc appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$12.0MRevenue
$46.0MAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Strong and consistent asset growth, from $22.3M in 2014 to $46M currently.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all 13 filings, indicating high efficiency.
Regular IRS 990 filings over 13 periods demonstrate strong transparency and accountability.
Significant revenue generation, with a peak of $11.5M in 2023, supporting substantial community impact.
Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating sound financial management (e.g., $1.6M liabilities vs $43.7M assets in 2023).
Spending Breakdown
How Community Foundation For South Central New York Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 Community Foundation For South Central New York Inc
Is Community Foundation For South Central New York Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Community Foundation For South Central New York Inc (EIN: 161512085) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Community Foundation For South Central New York Inc a good charity to donate to?
Community Foundation For South Central New York Inc has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $12.0M. Assets: $46.0M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Community Foundation For South Central New York Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Community Foundation For South Central New York Inc is 161512085. 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 Community Foundation For South Central New York Inc spend its money?
Community Foundation For South Central New York Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Community Foundation For South Central New York Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Community Foundation For South Central New York Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 161512085 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 Community Foundation For South Central New York Inc demonstrates strong financial health, with assets growing significantly from $22,314,395 in 2014 to $46,008,094 currently. Revenue has shown considerable fluctuation, peaking at $11,533,253 in 2023, indicating a reliance on varying levels of contributions and investment performance. The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a positive indicator of efficient resource allocation and a focus on mission-driven spending rather than high executive salaries. Their NTEE code T31 (Community Foundations) suggests a broad philanthropic purpose, and the consistent growth in assets over the decade reflects effective stewardship of donor funds.
Spending efficiency appears robust, particularly given the 0% officer compensation reported across all available filings. While a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses isn't provided in the summary data, the absence of executive compensation suggests that a significant portion of operational expenses is likely directed towards program delivery and essential administrative functions. The substantial asset base allows for long-term sustainability and impact within the community.
Transparency is high regarding executive compensation, with a consistent report of 0% for officers. Further transparency could be enhanced by providing a more granular breakdown of expenses beyond just total expenses, allowing for a clearer understanding of the proportion dedicated to programs versus overhead. However, the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods demonstrates a commitment to public accountability.