Is Crescent City Carnival Museum Foundation Legit?
Quick charity verification for Crescent City Carnival Museum Foundation (EIN: 134347357)
Verdict: Crescent City Carnival Museum Foundation shows mixed signals
45/100Mission Score
$21KRevenue
$425KAssets
4Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent and significant operating deficits (e.g., $31,943 deficit in 202312).
Revenue has been declining in recent years, reaching a low of $2,325 in 202312.
High and increasing liabilities relative to revenue, reaching $288,491 in 202312.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown to assess program efficiency.
Strengths
Significant asset base ($419,451 in 202312) provides some financial cushion.
Volunteer-led with no reported officer compensation, indicating dedication and cost-saving on executive salaries.
Spending Breakdown
How Crescent City Carnival Museum Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
60%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
30%
Admin Costs
High — over 25% on administration
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 Crescent City Carnival Museum Foundation
Is Crescent City Carnival Museum Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Crescent City Carnival Museum Foundation (EIN: 134347357) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 45/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
Is Crescent City Carnival Museum Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Crescent City Carnival Museum Foundation has a Mission Score of 45/100. Revenue: $21K. Assets: $425K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Crescent City Carnival Museum Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Crescent City Carnival Museum Foundation is 134347357. 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 Crescent City Carnival Museum Foundation spend its money?
Crescent City Carnival Museum Foundation allocates 60% to programs, 30% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Crescent City Carnival Museum Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Crescent City Carnival Museum Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 134347357 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 Crescent City Carnival Museum Foundation exhibits significant financial instability and potential operational challenges. In the most recent filing (202312), the organization reported revenue of only $2,325 against expenses of $34,268, indicating a substantial deficit. This trend of expenses consistently exceeding revenue is evident in multiple recent years, such as 202212 (revenue $9,050, expenses $75,353) and 202012 (revenue $1,912, expenses $45,063). While the organization holds substantial assets ($419,451 in 202312), a significant portion is offset by liabilities ($288,491 in 202312), suggesting a reliance on debt or restricted funds rather than robust operational income. The lack of reported officer compensation across all filings indicates a volunteer-led structure, which can be a positive for efficiency but also raises questions about the capacity for sustained, professional management given the financial struggles. The NTEE code A80 (Museums) suggests a program-heavy mission, but without a detailed breakdown of expenses, it's difficult to assess spending efficiency directly from the provided data.