Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation without further explanation, which is uncommon for an organization of this size.
Periods where expenses significantly exceeded revenue (e.g., 2023: $52,633 deficit), indicating potential reliance on reserves or inconsistent funding.
Strengths
Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms over 13 periods, demonstrating regulatory compliance and transparency.
Stable asset base (e.g., $151,485 latest assets) relative to liabilities (e.g., $12,205 in 2023), indicating financial stability.
Consistent revenue generation over a decade, showing sustained donor or grant support.
Spending Breakdown
How Creative Connections Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 Creative Connections Inc
Is Creative Connections Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Creative Connections Inc (EIN: 133697184) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Creative Connections Inc a good charity to donate to?
Creative Connections Inc has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $375K. Assets: $151K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Creative Connections Inc?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Creative Connections Inc is 133697184. 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 Creative Connections Inc spend its money?
Creative Connections Inc allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Creative Connections Inc's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Creative Connections Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 133697184 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
Creative Connections Inc. demonstrates consistent financial activity, with revenues and expenses generally in the range of $280,000 to $415,000 over the past decade. The organization's assets have remained relatively stable, hovering around $120,000 to $185,000, indicating a modest but consistent operational scale. A notable aspect is the reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which suggests either a volunteer-led executive team or compensation structured in a way not reported as officer compensation on the 990, warranting further investigation for full transparency.
While the organization's financial health appears stable, with assets generally exceeding liabilities, there have been periods where expenses outpaced revenue, such as in 2023 ($358,871 expenses vs. $306,238 revenue) and 2021 ($322,290 expenses vs. $305,985 revenue). This indicates a reliance on reserves or prior year surpluses to cover operational costs in some years. The lack of detailed expense breakdowns (program, administrative, fundraising) in the provided data makes a precise assessment of spending efficiency challenging. However, the consistent filing of 990s over 13 periods demonstrates a commitment to regulatory transparency.