Is Community Foundation Of Elmira Corning And The Finger Lakes Legit?
Quick charity verification for Community Foundation Of Elmira Corning And The Finger Lakes (EIN: 161100837)
Verdict: Community Foundation Of Elmira Corning And The Finger Lakes appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$10.1MRevenue
$83.7MAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent asset growth, reaching $83,695,539 in the latest filing.
Zero reported officer compensation across all 14 filings, indicating high efficiency.
Strong financial health with liabilities consistently low relative to assets.
Robust revenue generation, with a peak of over $12.5 million in 202406.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history demonstrating strong transparency and accountability.
Spending Breakdown
How Community Foundation Of Elmira Corning And The Finger Lakes 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 Community Foundation Of Elmira Corning And The Finger Lakes
Is Community Foundation Of Elmira Corning And The Finger Lakes a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Community Foundation Of Elmira Corning And The Finger Lakes (EIN: 161100837) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is Community Foundation Of Elmira Corning And The Finger Lakes a good charity to donate to?
Community Foundation Of Elmira Corning And The Finger Lakes has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $10.1M. Assets: $83.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Community Foundation Of Elmira Corning And The Finger Lakes?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Community Foundation Of Elmira Corning And The Finger Lakes is 161100837. 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 Of Elmira Corning And The Finger Lakes spend its money?
Community Foundation Of Elmira Corning And The Finger Lakes allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Community Foundation Of Elmira Corning And The Finger Lakes's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Community Foundation Of Elmira Corning And The Finger Lakes's tax-exempt status using EIN 161100837 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 Of Elmira Corning And The Finger Lakes demonstrates strong financial health and a commitment to its mission as a community foundation. Over the past decade, the organization has consistently grown its assets, reaching $83,695,539 in the latest filing, indicating robust endowment management and donor confidence. Revenue has fluctuated, as is common for foundations relying on contributions and investment returns, with a notable peak of $12,580,282 in the 202406 period. Expenses have remained relatively stable and well-managed in proportion to assets and revenue.
The organization's spending efficiency appears sound, with no reported officer compensation, which is a significant positive indicator for a nonprofit of this size. This suggests that resources are being directed towards programmatic activities and administrative support rather than high executive salaries. The consistent growth in assets, coupled with varying but generally strong revenue streams, positions the foundation well to continue its philanthropic work in the community.
Transparency is excellent, particularly given the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings. This level of disclosure regarding executive pay, or lack thereof, is highly commendable and builds trust with donors and the public. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 14 periods further underscores their commitment to public accountability and transparency.