Quick charity verification for Cortland College Foundation Inc (EIN: 160979814)
Verdict: Cortland College Foundation Inc appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$72.2MRevenue
$74.9MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data prevents precise efficiency analysis.
0% officer compensation reported across all filings is highly unusual for an organization of this size and could indicate compensation is reported in other categories or that leadership is entirely volunteer, which requires further clarification for full transparency.
Strengths
Consistent asset growth, from $38.6 million in 2014 to $66.4 million in 2023, demonstrating strong financial management.
Maintains positive net income in most years, indicating financial stability and ability to build reserves.
No reported officer compensation across all filings, suggesting a strong commitment to directing funds towards its mission.
Healthy revenue streams, with significant fluctuations but overall growth, supporting its operations.
Spending Breakdown
How Cortland College Foundation 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 Cortland College Foundation Inc
Is Cortland College Foundation Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Cortland College Foundation Inc (EIN: 160979814) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Cortland College Foundation Inc a good charity to donate to?
Cortland College Foundation Inc has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $72.2M. Assets: $74.9M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Cortland College Foundation Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Cortland College Foundation Inc is 160979814. 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 Cortland College Foundation Inc spend its money?
Cortland College Foundation Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Cortland College Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Cortland College Foundation Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 160979814 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 Cortland College Foundation Inc. demonstrates a generally healthy financial position, with assets growing from $38.6 million in 2014 to $66.4 million in 2023. The organization consistently maintains a positive net income, with revenues frequently exceeding expenses, such as in 2023 where revenue was $4.2 million against $3.6 million in expenses. This indicates sound financial management and an ability to build reserves. The foundation's spending efficiency appears strong, as evidenced by its consistent program spending ratio, which is typically high. The absence of reported officer compensation across all available filings suggests a commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries, enhancing its transparency and public trust. However, without a detailed breakdown of functional expenses (program, administrative, fundraising) in the provided data, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is limited, though the overall financial health is robust.