Quick charity verification for Consumers Research Inc (EIN: 221500498)
Verdict: Consumers Research Inc shows mixed signals
45/100Mission Score
$9.4MRevenue
$966KAssets
4Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent reporting of $0 for executive compensation despite significant revenue (e.g., $8,152,438 in 2023) raises serious questions about financial transparency and potential undisclosed benefits.
A very low percentage of spending on programs (e.g., 10% estimated) compared to administrative and fundraising expenses suggests a potential misalignment with direct charitable impact.
The organization's 'other expenses' are consistently very high (e.g., $9,972,703 in 2023), with insufficient detail to understand their nature and alignment with the mission.
The significant fluctuation in assets and liabilities without clear explanations in the filings (e.g., assets dropped from $2,731,806 in 2022 to $944,582 in 2023) warrants further investigation.
Strengths
The organization consistently generates substantial revenue, indicating strong fundraising capabilities.
The organization has maintained a presence for several years, suggesting operational stability.
Spending Breakdown
How Consumers Research Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
10%
Program Spending
Concerning — less than half to programs
50%
Admin Costs
High — over 25% on administration
40%
Fundraising
Above average fundraising costs
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 Consumers Research Inc
Is Consumers Research Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Consumers Research Inc (EIN: 221500498) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 45/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Consumers Research Inc a good charity to donate to?
Consumers Research Inc has a Mission Score of 45/100. Revenue: $9.4M. Assets: $966K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Consumers Research Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Consumers Research Inc is 221500498. 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 Consumers Research Inc spend its money?
Consumers Research Inc allocates 10% to programs, 50% to administration, and 40% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Consumers Research Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Consumers Research Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 221500498 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
Consumers Research Inc is a public & society benefit nonprofit based in Vienna, Virginia, with reported revenue of $9.4M and assets of $966K. Our AI analysis assigns a Mission Score of 45/100 (Fair). Approximately 10% of spending goes to programs, 50% to administration, and 40% to fundraising. Executive compensation is reported as $0 across all available filings, which is highly improbable for an organization with revenues consistently in the millions, suggesting potential reporting discrepancies or alternative compensation structures not disclosed.