Is Council Of State Retail Associations Inc Legit?
Quick charity verification for Council Of State Retail Associations Inc (EIN: 202266267)
Verdict: Council Of State Retail Associations Inc appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$432KRevenue
$294KAssets
2Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., $30,308 deficit in 2023, $108,923 deficit in 2022)
Significant revenue fluctuation, particularly the sharp drop in 2020 to $69,900
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating high transparency and efficiency in executive pay.
Maintained a healthy asset base over time, providing a buffer against financial fluctuations.
Low liabilities across most filing periods, suggesting responsible financial management.
Spending Breakdown
How Council Of State Retail Associations Inc 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 Council Of State Retail Associations Inc
Is Council Of State Retail Associations Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Council Of State Retail Associations Inc (EIN: 202266267) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Council Of State Retail Associations Inc a good charity to donate to?
Council Of State Retail Associations Inc has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $432K. Assets: $294K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Council Of State Retail Associations Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Council Of State Retail Associations Inc is 202266267. 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 Council Of State Retail Associations Inc spend its money?
Council Of State Retail Associations Inc allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Council Of State Retail Associations Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Council Of State Retail Associations Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 202266267 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 Council Of State Retail Associations Inc. demonstrates consistent financial operations, with revenues and expenses generally in the range of $200,000-$300,000 annually, though there was a notable dip in revenue to $69,900 in 2020. The organization has maintained a healthy asset base, typically around $300,000-$400,000, indicating financial stability. Liabilities have remained low across most years, suggesting good financial management and minimal debt burden. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a significant indicator of transparency and a commitment to directing funds towards the organization's mission rather than executive salaries.
However, the organization has experienced periods of deficit spending, such as in 2023 where expenses ($280,228) exceeded revenue ($249,920), and in 2022 where expenses ($352,928) significantly outpaced revenue ($244,005). While not uncommon for non-profits to have fluctuating financials, consistent deficits could erode assets over time if not addressed. The lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes it challenging to fully assess spending efficiency beyond the absence of executive compensation. Overall, the organization appears financially stable with strong transparency regarding executive pay, but careful monitoring of revenue-to-expense ratios is warranted.