Quick charity verification for Cross Of Light Ministry (EIN: 202652733)
Verdict: Cross Of Light Ministry appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$442KRevenue
$896KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Experienced a significant deficit in 2020 ($61,330)
Revenue has fluctuated significantly year-over-year, making future income less predictable
Strengths
Consistent asset growth from $896,264 to $1,173,862 over four years
Decreasing liabilities from $269,521 to $224,233 over four years
0% officer compensation reported across all filings, indicating low executive overhead
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s demonstrates basic transparency
Spending Breakdown
How Cross Of Light Ministry 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 Cross Of Light Ministry
Is Cross Of Light Ministry a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Cross Of Light Ministry (EIN: 202652733) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Cross Of Light Ministry a good charity to donate to?
Cross Of Light Ministry has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $442K. Assets: $896K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Cross Of Light Ministry?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Cross Of Light Ministry is 202652733. 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 Cross Of Light Ministry spend its money?
Cross Of Light Ministry allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Cross Of Light Ministry's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Cross Of Light Ministry's tax-exempt status using EIN 202652733 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
Cross Of Light Ministry demonstrates a consistent financial history with fluctuating revenues and expenses over the past four years. While the organization's assets have grown from $896,264 in 2017 to $1,173,862 in 2020, it experienced a deficit in 2020, with expenses exceeding revenue by over $61,000. The organization's liabilities have shown a positive trend, decreasing from $269,521 in 2017 to $224,233 in 2020, indicating improved financial management in this area. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead related to executive pay, which is a positive indicator for donor confidence.
However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency. The organization's NTEE code X21 (Religious Activities) often implies a focus on direct service, but the lack of granular expense data limits a comprehensive evaluation of how effectively funds are being deployed towards its mission. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s demonstrates a basic level of transparency, but further details on program outcomes and specific expense categories would enhance understanding of its operational effectiveness and impact.