Quick charity verification for Conservation Congress (EIN: 200244175)
Verdict: Conservation Congress appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$100KRevenue
$57KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Significant year-to-year revenue volatility, making long-term planning potentially challenging.
Periods where expenses exceeded revenue (e.g., 2021, 2019, 2017, 2016) indicate reliance on reserves or inconsistent funding.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, demonstrating a strong commitment to mission-focused spending.
Regular IRS 990 filings over 13 periods, indicating transparency and compliance.
Generally operates with revenues covering expenses, leading to surpluses in most years (e.g., $3,477 surplus in 2023).
Absence of liabilities in most reporting periods, including the latest 2023 filing.
Spending Breakdown
How Conservation Congress 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 Conservation Congress
Is Conservation Congress a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Conservation Congress (EIN: 200244175) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Conservation Congress a good charity to donate to?
Conservation Congress has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $100K. Assets: $57K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Conservation Congress?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Conservation Congress is 200244175. 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 Conservation Congress spend its money?
Conservation Congress allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Conservation Congress's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Conservation Congress's tax-exempt status using EIN 200244175 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
Conservation Congress demonstrates a generally stable financial position, though with fluctuating revenues and expenses over the past decade. In 2023, the organization reported revenues of $94,636 against expenses of $91,159, resulting in a modest surplus. This trend of revenues generally covering expenses is positive, although there have been periods, such as 2021 and 2019, where expenses exceeded revenue, indicating reliance on prior reserves or fluctuating funding. The organization's assets have varied significantly, from a high of $192,500 in 2015 to $57,150 currently, and $94,852 in 2023, suggesting some volatility in its financial reserves. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is a strong indicator of financial transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards the mission rather than executive salaries.
Spending efficiency appears reasonable given the consistent surpluses in most years. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, the overall expense-to-revenue ratio suggests that the organization is generally operating within its means. The absence of reported liabilities in most years, including 2023, is a positive sign of financial health, though a $50,000 liability was reported in 2021 and 2022. The organization's consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods indicates a commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency, allowing public scrutiny of its financial activities. The lack of officer compensation further enhances its transparency profile.