Quick charity verification for Community Works West Inc (EIN: 205278030)
Verdict: Community Works West Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$6.4MRevenue
$6.4MAssets
3Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is unusual for an organization of this scale and warrants further investigation into leadership compensation structure.
Significant fluctuation in liabilities over the years, peaking at $2.49 million in 2020 and remaining high at $1.79 million in 2023, which could indicate reliance on short-term funding or specific grant structures.
Operational deficit in the most recent 2023 filing, where expenses exceeded revenue by $178,800, breaking a trend of surpluses.
Strengths
Strong program focus indicated by the estimated spending breakdown, suggesting a high percentage of funds directly support the mission.
Consistent revenue generation over the past decade, demonstrating financial stability and donor confidence.
Healthy growth in assets, increasing from $1.2 million in 2014 to $4.9 million in 2023, indicating sound financial management and capacity building.
Low fundraising costs, suggesting efficient donor acquisition and retention strategies.
Spending Breakdown
How Community Works West Inc 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 Works West Inc
Is Community Works West Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Community Works West Inc (EIN: 205278030) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Community Works West Inc a good charity to donate to?
Community Works West Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $6.4M. Assets: $6.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Community Works West Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Community Works West Inc is 205278030. 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 Works West Inc spend its money?
Community Works West Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Community Works West Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Community Works West Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 205278030 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
Community Works West Inc demonstrates a generally stable financial position with consistent revenue streams over the past decade, ranging from $2.7 million to $5.3 million. The organization has shown growth in assets, increasing from $1.2 million in 2014 to $4.9 million in 2023, indicating sound financial management and accumulation of resources. While there was a deficit in 2023 with expenses exceeding revenue by approximately $178,800, this follows several years of surpluses, suggesting a strategic investment or temporary operational adjustment rather than a systemic issue. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a significant indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards its mission, rather than executive salaries. This practice, while unusual, suggests a highly volunteer-driven leadership or a different compensation structure not captured under 'officer compensation' in these filings, which warrants further investigation for complete understanding.